Natural Gas Power Grows as Coal Continues to Decline
Utilities are expected to bring another 36 GW of natural gas power plants online by the end of 2018. This expansion will follow five years of declining coal power plant capacity in the U.S. as low natural gas prices continue to challenge the coal fleet
By Melissa C. Lott
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Utilities are expected to bring another 36 GW of natural gas power plants online by the end of 2018, according to Short-Term Energy Outlook report published this month by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
If these expected power plant additions occur, natural gas capacity will rise by ~8% by the end of 2018. According to the EIA's new report, this new capacity “could help natural gas maintain its status as the primary energy source for power generation [in the United States], even if natural gas prices rise moderately.”
This expansion will follow five years of declining coal power plant capacity in the United States as low natural gas prices continue to challenge the coal fleet. All told, the United States’ coal-fired power plant capacity fell by around 47 GW over the past 5 years, says the EIA. This is the equivalent of a 15% reduction in the country’s coal power plant fleet over this five-year period.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
