WFEC GENERATION REPORT
EIA forecasts rise in renewable energy generation nationwide From the U.S. Energy Information Administration
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Renewables: 48% Natural Gas: 35% Coal: 3% Blend from SPP purchases: 14%
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Over 12.5¢ Under 10 ¢ 10¢ to 12.5¢ Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Numbers rounded to nearest tenth of a cent
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n its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), released on Jan. 14, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that generation from natural gas-fired power plants in the electric power sector will grow by 1.3% in 2020. This growth rate would be the slowest growth rate in natural gas generation since 2017. EIA forecasts that generation from nonhydropower renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, will grow by 15% in 2020—the fastest rate in four years. Forecast generation from coal-fired power plants declines by 13% in 2020. During the past decade, the electric power sector has been retiring coal-fired generation plants while adding more natural gas generating capacity. In 2019, EIA estimates that 12.7 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired capacity in the United States was retired, equivalent to 5% of the total existing coal-fired capacity at the beginning of the year. An additional 5.8 GW of U.S. coal capacity is scheduled to retire in 2020, contributing to a forecast 13% decline Average Prices for Residential Electricity in coal-fired 2018 figures, in cents per kWh generation this year. In contrast, U.S. Average: 12.9¢ per kWh EIA estimates WA VT: 18¢ ME that the electric 9.8¢ NH: 19.7¢ MT ND 16.8¢ 11¢ MA: 21.6¢ 10.3¢ power sector MN OR RI: 20.6¢ 13.1¢ 11¢ NY ID WI SD has added or CT: 21.2¢ 18.5¢ 10.2¢ 14¢ MI 11.6¢ WY 15.5¢ plans to add 11.4 11.3¢ IA PA NE 12.2¢ 13.9¢ NV IN OH GW of capacity IL 10.7¢ NJ: 15.4¢ 12.6¢ 11.9¢ UT 12.8¢ 12.3¢ WV VA CO DE: 12.5¢ 10.4¢ at natural gas KS MO CA 12.2¢ KY 11.2¢ 11.7¢ MD: 13.3¢ 13.4¢ 11.3¢ 18.8¢ 10.6¢ NC combined-cycle DC: 12.8¢ TN 11.1¢ OK AZ 10.7¢ NM SC power plants in AR 10.3¢ 12.8¢ 12.7¢ 12.4¢ 9.8¢ GA AL 2019 and 2020. MS 12.2¢ 11.5¢ TX Generating LA 11.1¢ 11.2¢ 9.6¢ capacity fueled FL AK 11.5¢ 21.9¢ by renewable HI energy sources, 32.5¢ Residential Average Price especially solar (cents per kilowatt-hour) and wind, has
Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), OEC's wholesale generation and transmission power provider, has an impressive renewable portfolio that includes wind, hydro and — recently added — solar. OEC's Solar Garden, located at Interstate 35 and Highway 77 in Norman, began producing power in February 2017, and Tuttle's 40-acre Solar Farm began operation in March 2017. As more solar facilities come online, expect to see it added to WFEC's generation report, increasing the already robust mix of renewable energy sources.
Data collected from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative reflects generation and Southwest Power Pool purchases during November 2019.
To view real-time generation output and environmental benefits of OEC's Solar Garden, visit www.okcoop.org/solar. Visit www.okcoop.org/solar-garden-tours to tour OEC's Solar Garden, located at Interstate 35 and Highway 77 in Norman.
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