EIA: Coal-fired generation continuing to regain market share

Coal-fired generation regaining market share from natural gas-fired generation EIA Energy Information Administration

Coal-fired power generation is slowly regaining market share from natural gas-fired power generation, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Coal-fired generation produced 40 percent or more of that nation’s electricity from November of last year until March of this year, rising from a low of producing 32 percent in April of last year. In that month, coal and natural gas both produced about 32 percent of the U.S.’s electricity. Natural gas has since dropped to produce about 25 percent of the generation in the period between November 2012 and last March.

“Since May 2012, a combination of higher prices for natural gas and increased demand for electricity during the summer months led electric systems across much of the country to increase their use of coal-fired units,” the EIA stated. “In March 2013, coal-fired units generated a little over 130,000 MWh of electricity, while natural gas units produced nearly 85,000 MWh.”

The EIA noted, however, that the market share for coal-fired power is still well below its typical range prior to 2009. Coal-powered generation ranged for 48 to 51 percent of total generation between 2001 and 2008. Coal last achieved a 50 percent share and is expected to have a 40 percent share in 2013.