Renewable energy to outpace coal for first time ever in US

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Comments Another tipping point in energy seems to be on the horizon, as renewable energy in the US is expected to surpass coal in electricity generation for the first time this month. Renewables (including hydro, solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal) are projected to generate more electricity than coal-fired plants in April, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEFFA). This would be a first. The IEEFA also notes that new data from the US Energy Information Administration projects renewables to surpass coal in May. Estimates show renewables generating 2,322 and 2,271 thousand megawatt-hours per day in April and May. Coal is expected to reach 1,997 and 2,239 thousand MWh/day during those same two months. A closer look at the EIA’s short-term outlook shows renewables and coal may trade places month to month over the next few years (spring and fall are peak times for renewable generation, as coal plants often go offline for maintenance in preparation for summer and winter). Coal actually reached a five-year high in 2018, but more than 7 gigawatts of coal-fired generation will be retired by the end of 2020, as renewables continue to increase: EIA forecasts that all renewable fuels, including […]

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