U.S. electricity generating capacity addition share 2010-2024, by technology
In 2024, renewable energy sources represented over 90 percent of electricity capacity additions in the U.S., while natural gas capacity additions decreased to two percent that same year. Coal electricity capacity additions were phased in the U.S in 2014.
Growth in renewable electricity generation
The surge in renewable capacity additions aligns with the overall increase in renewable electricity generation. In 2023, renewable sources produced more than 890 terawatt-hours of electricity in the United States. Wind power has emerged as the leading renewable electricity source, surpassing conventional hydroelectric power at the beginning of 2020. This growth in renewable generation is occurring against the backdrop of a slight decrease in total U.S. electricity generation, which fell by 120 terawatt-hours from 2023 to 2024, reaching 4,304 terawatt-hours.
Future outlook and consumption patterns
Looking ahead, the trend towards renewable energy is expected to continue. Projections indicate that by 2050, renewable energy consumption in the United States will reach approximately 21.7 quadrillion British thermal units, more than doubling the estimated consumption in 2022. This growth in renewable energy aligns with changing consumption patterns in the electricity market. In 2023, retail electricity sales in the U.S. totaled about 3.9 petawatt-hours, with the residential sector accounting for around 40 percent of these sales in the previous year.
