U.S. electricity generation reached 1,179 terawatt-hours. Coal still directs 58.9 percent of its consumption to power plants while solar supplies 7 percent of net electricity and battery storage accounts for 28.7 percent of new utility-scale additions. Transmission spending, storm-related losses, and emissions from generation add further layers to the data.
Key Takeaways
- 58.9% of U.S. coal consumption is used for electricity generation
- 7.0% of U.S. electricity demand was met by solar generation in 2023 (share of net generation)
- 1,330.6 GW of U.S. utility-scale generating capacity existed in 2023 (summer capacity, all technologies)
- 150.7 GW of U.S. wind capacity was operating in 2023
- 134.1 GW of U.S. nuclear generating capacity was operating in 2023
- 1,179 terawatt-hours (TWh) of U.S. electricity was generated in 2024
- 103.0 quadrillion Btu of energy was consumed in the U.S. in 2023
- 13.3 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum was consumed in the U.S. in 2023
- 2.0% year-over-year increase in U.S. natural gas consumption in 2023 vs 2022
- 7.7% growth in U.S. electricity generation from 2022 to 2023
- 2024 U.S. electricity retail sales were 3,949,512 GWh
- $1.2 billion average annual net loss of electricity utilities from major storm damage (2019–2022)
- 31.5% of U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions come from electricity generation
- 2.3% of U.S. power-sector emissions were from natural gas in 2022
- Total U.S. electric utility revenue was $430.3 billion in 2023 (electric utility operating revenue)
In 2023, U.S. electricity generation rose 7.7%, led by expanding wind, nuclear, solar, and grid investment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Generation Mix7 stats
01
58.9% of U.S. coal consumption is used for electricity generation
02
7.0% of U.S. electricity demand was met by solar generation in 2023 (share of net generation)
03
1,330.6 GW of U.S. utility-scale generating capacity existed in 2023 (summer capacity, all technologies)
04
28.7% of U.S. utility-scale generating capacity additions in 2023 were from battery storage (portion of new capacity additions by technology)
05
12,000 megawatts (MW) of U.S. offshore wind capacity was in the project pipeline as of Q4 2024 (planned offshore wind capacity under development)
06
U.S. distributed solar PV capacity reached 130.3 GW in 2023 (distributed nameplate capacity)
07
20.8% of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation was from hydroelectric power in 2023
Interpretation
Generation Mix Interpretation
From a generation mix perspective, the U.S. is still highly centered on electricity produced from coal with 58.9% of coal consumption used for power, while renewables are rising quickly with solar at 7.0% of net generation in 2023 and battery storage accounting for 28.7% of utility scale capacity additions in 2023.
02 · Category
Capacity Additions2 stats
01
150.7 GW of U.S. wind capacity was operating in 2023
02
134.1 GW of U.S. nuclear generating capacity was operating in 2023
Interpretation
Capacity Additions Interpretation
Under the capacity additions lens, the scale of existing generation stands out as 150.7 GW of U.S. wind and 134.1 GW of nuclear were already operating in 2023, showing how large the baseline capacity is upon which any new additions must build.
03 · Category
Demand & Consumption4 stats
01
1,179 terawatt-hours (TWh) of U.S. electricity was generated in 2024
02
103.0 quadrillion Btu of energy was consumed in the U.S. in 2023
03
13.3 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum was consumed in the U.S. in 2023
04
6.9 million (M) U.S. households received utility energy in 2023
Interpretation
Demand & Consumption Interpretation
Demand and consumption in the U.S. stayed massive in 2023 and 2024, with 103.0 quadrillion Btu of energy consumed and 13.3 million barrels per day of petroleum used, supported by widespread utility reach to 6.9 million households.
04 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
2.0% year-over-year increase in U.S. natural gas consumption in 2023 vs 2022
02
7.7% growth in U.S. electricity generation from 2022 to 2023
03
2024 U.S. electricity retail sales were 3,949,512 GWh
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Under Industry Trends, U.S. energy demand is edging upward with natural gas consumption rising 2.0% in 2023 versus 2022 and electricity generation growing 7.7% from 2022 to 2023, while 2024 electricity retail sales reached 3,949,512 GWh.
05 · Category
Cost & Investment1 stats
01
$1.2 billion average annual net loss of electricity utilities from major storm damage (2019–2022)
Interpretation
Cost & Investment Interpretation
From 2019 to 2022, major storm damage drove an average annual net loss of $1.2 billion for electricity utilities, underscoring how storms can impose persistent, costly pressure on Cost and Investment planning in the energy sector.
06 · Category
Emissions & Climate2 stats
01
31.5% of U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions come from electricity generation
02
2.3% of U.S. power-sector emissions were from natural gas in 2022
Interpretation
Emissions & Climate Interpretation
Within the Emissions & Climate category, electricity generation accounts for 31.5% of U.S. energy related CO2 emissions, while natural gas made up just 2.3% of power sector emissions in 2022, underscoring how emissions pressures are driven more by electricity output overall than by natural gas alone.
07 · Category
Market Structure & Profitability2 stats
01
Total U.S. electric utility revenue was $430.3 billion in 2023 (electric utility operating revenue)
02
Net generating assets in U.S. wholesale power markets totaled $1.2 trillion in 2023 (estimated asset value)
Interpretation
Market Structure & Profitability Interpretation
In the market structure and profitability of the US energy industry, the scale of electric utility operating revenue at $430.3 billion in 2023 aligns with the massive $1.2 trillion in net generating assets in wholesale power markets, underscoring how large asset bases can shape competitive dynamics and earnings potential.
08 · Category
Emissions & Policy3 stats
01
34 states had renewable portfolio standards or similar policies as of 2024 (jurisdiction count with RPS or equivalent requirements)
02
45Q credits can be claimed for geologic carbon sequestration or utilization at rates up to $180per metric ton for direct air capture and $85 per metric ton for CO2 capture from industrial sources (2022–2026 schedules)
03
$27.4 billion in IRS Treasury direct pay credits were allocated/authorized for grid modernization and renewable energy projects under the IRA through 2024 (program implementation tally)
Interpretation
Emissions & Policy Interpretation
As of 2024, 34 states have renewable portfolio standards or equivalent requirements, and the federal government is reinforcing this emissions and policy push with large scale incentives like up to $180 per metric ton 45Q credits and $27.4 billion in direct pay support for grid modernization and renewables.
More related reading
09 · Category
Grid Capital & Costs3 stats
01
$60.0 billion total investment in U.S. electricity transmission and distribution was forecast for 2024 (utility and non-utility grid capex outlook)
02
$2.1 billion U.S. utility-scale transmission-related investment occurred in 2023 (annual capex tracked by transmission-focused analytics)
03
$18.8 billion in 2023 was spent on U.S. electricity infrastructure hardening and resilience projects (storm hardening and grid resilience expenditures)
Interpretation
Grid Capital & Costs Interpretation
For the Grid Capital & Costs category, the combination of a projected $60.0 billion in 2024 transmission and distribution investment alongside $2.1 billion of transmission related spend in 2023 and $18.8 billion devoted in 2023 to hardening and resilience signals that grid upgrades are being funded heavily across both build out and costlier storm readiness work.
10 · Category
Electricity Prices2 stats
01
U.S. wholesale power prices in ERCOT averaged $52.6/MWh in 2023 (annual average market-clearing price proxy)
02
U.S. wholesale power prices in MISO averaged $33.1/MWh in 2023 (annual average day-ahead market price proxy)
Interpretation
Electricity Prices Interpretation
For the electricity prices category, U.S. wholesale power averaged $52.6/MWh in ERCOT and $33.1/MWh in MISO in 2023, showing a clear regional pricing split of about $19.5/MWh.
11 · Category
Energy Digitalization4 stats
01
U.S. utilities planned to add 2.0 million smart meters by the end of 2024 (smart meter deployment plans)
02
U.S. utilities installed 9.4 million advanced meters in 2023 (advanced metering infrastructure deployments)
03
U.S. utilities spent $3.6 billion on grid software, analytics, and cybersecurity in 2023 (utility grid software market spend estimate)
04
The U.S. has 1.7 million electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) ports as of early 2025 (public and private EV charging port count)
Interpretation
Energy Digitalization Interpretation
With U.S. utilities installing 9.4 million advanced meters in 2023 and planning 2.0 million more by the end of 2024 alongside $3.6 billion in grid software, analytics, and cybersecurity, energy digitalization is clearly accelerating, further reinforced by the growing charging network of 1.7 million EVSE ports by early 2025.
12 · Category
Grid & Reliability2 stats
01
U.S. electric utility plant investment was $1.98 trillion in 2022
02
U.S. electric utility transmission and distribution (T&D) capital spending was $76.3 billion in 2023
Interpretation
Grid & Reliability Interpretation
In the Grid and Reliability category, the scale of grid modernization is clear as U.S. electric utility plant investment reached $1.98 trillion in 2022 alongside $76.3 billion in transmission and distribution capital spending in 2023.
13 · Category
Demand & Load2 stats
01
The U.S. peak demand in 2023 was 1,036,100 megawatts (MW)
02
U.S. industrial electricity consumption was 1,657,000 gigawatthours (GWh) in 2023
Interpretation
Demand & Load Interpretation
In the Demand and Load category, the United States reached a 2023 peak electricity demand of 1,036,100 MW, while industrial power use totaled 1,657,000 GWh, underscoring how high overall consumption aligns with very large peak system needs.
14 · Category
Markets & Prices3 stats
01
U.S. coal-fired electricity generation was 964.0 million MWh in 2023
02
U.S. average retail electricity price for industrial customers was 10.59 c/kWh in 2023
03
U.S. wholesale power prices in the Eastern Interconnection day-ahead markets averaged $39.8/MWh in 2023
Interpretation
Markets & Prices Interpretation
In the Markets and Prices snapshot for 2023, U.S. electricity costs varied widely as industrial power averaged 10.59 c/kWh while Eastern Interconnection day-ahead prices averaged $39.8/MWh, against a backdrop of 964.0 million MWh of coal-fired generation.
15 · Category
Infrastructure & Capital2 stats
01
U.S. utility-scale battery storage capacity additions totaled 28.7% of new utility-scale capacity additions in 2023
02
U.S. transmission projects totaling 2,400 GW were in interregional planning queues as of 2024
Interpretation
Infrastructure & Capital Interpretation
From an Infrastructure and Capital perspective, 2023 showed a strong build shift toward storage as utility-scale battery capacity made up 28.7% of all new utility-scale additions, while by 2024 interregional transmission planning was already evaluating 2,400 GW of projects.
report visual · Comparison
U.S. Electricity Mix and Renewable Share (Selected Stats)
Electricity generation is still largely driven by conventional sources, but solar and battery storage are increasingly important within the mix.
58.9% of U.S. coal consumption is used for electricity generation58.9%
28.7% of U.S. utility-scale generating capacity additions in 2023 were from battery storage (portion of new capacity add
28.7%
20.8% of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation was from hydroelectric power in 2023
20.8%
7.0% of U.S. electricity demand was met by solar generation in 2023 (share of net generation)
7%
source-verifiedeia.gov · ercot.com · about.bnef.com2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). Us Energy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/us-energy-industry-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "Us Energy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/us-energy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "Us Energy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/us-energy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+23 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)