While electricity generation climbed to new heights in 2022, with over 4,200 billion kWh produced in the U.S. alone, a volatile global energy landscape is forcing a dramatic transformation across every facet of the utility industry, from the power lines above to the water pipes below.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, U.S. electricity generation totaled 4,243 billion kWh, with natural gas accounting for 40.3% of the mix
- Global electricity consumption grew by 2.6% in 2022 to 27,106 TWh, driven by emerging economies
- U.S. residential electricity sales reached 1,494 billion kWh in 2022, up 6% from 2021
- U.S. dry natural gas production hit 36.4 Tcf in 2022, up 8.4%
- Global natural gas demand rose 0.7% to 4,048 bcm in 2022 despite war
- U.S. LNG exports reached 11.9 Bcf/d in 2022, up 25%
- Global water withdrawal totals 4,000 km³/year, 70% for agriculture in 2022 estimates
- U.S. public water systems serve 90% of population, treating 39 billion gallons/day in 2022
- Global urban water supply coverage 84% in 2022 per WHO/UNICEF
- Global renewable electricity capacity reached 3,372 GW in 2022, up 10.7%
- Wind power added 77 GW globally in 2022, onshore 73 GW
- Solar PV capacity grew 240 GW worldwide in 2022 to 1,053 GW total
- U.S. Utility revenues $450 billion in 2022
- Global utility market cap $3.5 trillion end 2022
- U.S. electric utility capex $100 billion in 2022
Rising renewable capacity and shifting power generation highlight evolving global energy consumption trends.
Electricity
1In 2022, U.S. electricity generation totaled 4,243 billion kWh, with natural gas accounting for 40.3% of the mix
Verified2Global electricity consumption grew by 2.6% in 2022 to 27,106 TWh, driven by emerging economies
Verified3U.S. residential electricity sales reached 1,494 billion kWh in 2022, up 6% from 2021
Verified4Coal-fired power plants generated 20% of U.S. electricity in 2022, down from 23% in 2020
Directional5Texas produced 13.3% of U.S. electricity in 2022 at 536 billion kWh
Single source6Wind power contributed 10.3% to U.S. electricity in 2022, totaling 434 billion kWh
Verified7U.S. electricity retail prices averaged 15.95 cents/kWh in 2022, up 11.3% from 2021
Verified8Nuclear power generated 775 billion kWh in the U.S. in 2022, 18.2% of total
Verified9California generated 285 billion kWh from solar in 2022, 13% of state total
Directional10U.S. utility-scale battery storage capacity reached 7.4 GW in 2022
Single source11PJM Interconnection delivered 775 TWh of electricity in 2022
Verified12U.S. electricity transmission losses were 5% of generation in 2022, or 204 billion kWh
Verified13Hydroelectric power produced 239 billion kWh in U.S. in 2022, 5.9% of total
Verified14ERCOT grid peak demand hit 85.5 GW in 2022
Directional15U.S. industrial electricity use was 970 billion kWh in 2022, 25% of total sales
Single source16MISO delivered 358 TWh in 2022 across 15 states
Verified17U.S. electricity end-use efficiency improved 27% since 1990 per EIA data for 2022
Verified18SPP market served 1,200 TWh demand in 2022
Verified19U.S. commercial sector used 1,384 billion kWh electricity in 2022
Directional20NYISO peak load was 33 GW in summer 2022
Single source21Global electricity demand forecast to rise 3.4% in 2023 per IEA
Verified22ISO-NE generated 132 TWh in 2022
Verified23U.S. rooftop solar added 5.8 GW in 2022
Verified24CAISO peak demand 52 GW in 2022
Directional25U.S. electricity capacity reached 1,185 GW in 2022
Single source26Global electricity access reached 92% of population in 2022 per IEA
Verified27U.S. net electricity generation from renewables hit 844 billion kWh in 2022
Verified28FERC reported 3,022 GW-hours of interstate electricity trade in 2022
Verified29U.S. average residential electricity bill $132/month in 2022
Directional30Europe's electricity demand fell 3.5% in 2022 due to energy crisis
Single source31U.S. natural gas-fired plants produced 1,712 billion kWh electricity in 2022, 40% of total
VerifiedElectricity Interpretation
While the U.S. juggles a still-gas-heavy energy mix and rising bills, a global surge in demand underscores the high-stakes race to green the grid and improve efficiency before the lights—or our wallets—flicker out.
Natural Gas
1U.S. dry natural gas production hit 36.4 Tcf in 2022, up 8.4%
Verified2Global natural gas demand rose 0.7% to 4,048 bcm in 2022 despite war
Verified3U.S. LNG exports reached 11.9 Bcf/d in 2022, up 25%
Verified4Henry Hub spot price averaged $6.45/MMBtu in 2022, up 127%
Directional5U.S. natural gas consumption 33.6 Tcf in 2022, electric power sector 40%
Single source6Permian Basin produced 20.2 Bcf/d natural gas in 2022
Verified7Europe imported 155 bcm LNG in 2022, up 42% to replace Russian gas
Verified8U.S. natural gas storage inventories ended 2022 at 2,879 Bcf
Verified9Haynesville shale output 14.5 Bcf/d in Dec 2022
Directional10Global LNG trade 404 Mt in 2022, up 6.6%
Single source11Marcellus/Utica produced 35.7 Bcf/d in 2022
Verified12U.S. pipeline imports from Canada 8.5 Bcf/d average 2022
Verified13Russia's natural gas exports to Europe fell 80% in 2022 to 40 bcm
Verified14U.S. industrial natural gas use 10.5 Tcf in 2022
Directional15Qatar exported 77 Mt LNG in 2022
Single source16U.S. residential natural gas deliveries 4.9 Tcf in 2022
Verified17Australia LNG exports 81 Mt in 2022, leading exporter
Verified18U.S. natural gas rig count averaged 160 in 2022
Verified19China's natural gas imports 126 bcm in 2022, up 9%
Directional20U.S. Gulf Coast LNG capacity 44.8 Bcf/d by end 2022
Single source21Global natural gas prices averaged $10.50/MMBtu TTF in 2022
Verified22Eagle Ford natural gas production 6.2 Bcf/d in 2022
Verified23U.S. commercial natural gas use 3.3 Tcf in 2022
Verified24Norway exported 121 bcm gas to Europe in 2022, record high
Directional25U.S. natural gas exports total 12.3 Tcf in 2022
Single source26Global underground gas storage capacity 427 bcm working volume in 2022
Verified27Appalachia gas production 32 Bcf/d in 2022
Verified28U.S. heating degree days 5,400 in 2022-23 winter
Verified29LNG carrier fleet 562 vessels in 2022
Directional30U.S. gas pipeline miles 305,000 in 2022
Single source31Global gas-fired power generation up 1.5% to 5,800 TWh in 2022
Verified32Bakken shale gas output 2.8 Bcf/d 2022
Verified33U.S. natural gas wellhead price $5.28/Mcf average 2022
Verified34Europe gas consumption down 12% in 2022 to 325 bcm
DirectionalNatural Gas Interpretation
America turned up the gas to power itself and rescue a freezing Europe, proving that while you can't please everyone, you can certainly light their furnaces and inflate their bills for them.
Renewables
1Global renewable electricity capacity reached 3,372 GW in 2022, up 10.7%
Verified2Wind power added 77 GW globally in 2022, onshore 73 GW
Verified3Solar PV capacity grew 240 GW worldwide in 2022 to 1,053 GW total
Verified4U.S. renewable generation 21% of electricity in 2022, 893 billion kWh
Directional5China installed 87 GW solar in 2022, 38% global total
Single source6Offshore wind capacity 35 GW global end 2022
Verified7Hydropower generated 4,150 TWh globally in 2022
Verified8U.S. solar capacity 139 GW by end 2022
Verified9EU renewable share 23% of energy in 2022
Directional10Bioenergy contributed 2,400 TWh electricity globally 2022
Single source11India added 11.7 GW renewables in 2022, total 175 GW
Verified12Geothermal capacity 15.9 GW global 2022
Verified13U.S. wind capacity 141 GW end 2022
Verified14Brazil renewables 89% of electricity in 2022
Directional15Green hydrogen projects 347 announced globally 2022
Single source16Concentrated solar power 6.5 GW global 2022
Verified17Vietnam renewable capacity 25 GW end 2022
Verified18Corporate PPA for renewables 25 GW signed 2022
Verified19Global battery storage for renewables 28 GW/45 GWh in 2022
Directional20Morocco Noor Ouarzazate CSP 580 MW operational 2022
Single source21U.S. utility-scale solar added 11.2 GW in 2022
Verified22Global renewable investment $495 billion in 2022
Verified23Germany Energiewende renewables 46% electricity 2022
Verified24Floating offshore wind pilots 100 MW global 2022
Directional25Global renewable jobs 12.7 million in 2022
Single sourceRenewables Interpretation
The renewable energy revolution is no longer knocking at the door—it’s blowing the roof off, shining a light on the grid, and hiring 12.7 million people to prove the future is already being installed.
Utilities Finance
1U.S. Utility revenues $450 billion in 2022
Verified2Global utility market cap $3.5 trillion end 2022
Verified3U.S. electric utility capex $100 billion in 2022
Verified4NextEra Energy revenue $21.1 billion in 2022
Directional5Duke Energy net income $3.8 billion 2022
Single source6Southern Company EBITDA $11.5 billion 2022
Verified7Global utility debt $2.8 trillion in 2022
Verified8Dominion Energy revenue $14 billion 2022
Verified9U.S. water utilities revenue $60 billion annually avg 2022
Directional10Iberdrola net profit €4.34 billion 2022
Single source11Enel revenue €140.5 billion 2022
Verified12U.S. regulated utility ROE averaged 9.8% in 2022
Verified13EDF EBITDA €42.9 billion 2022
Verified14American Water Works revenue $4.1 billion 2022
Directional15Sempra Energy net income $2.6 billion 2022
Single source16U.S. utility dividends $60 billion paid 2022
Verified17National Grid operating profit £2.7 billion 2022
Verified18Eversource revenue $11.5 billion 2022
Verified19Global utility M&A deals $100 billion value 2022
Directional20Exelon net income $2.3 billion 2022
Single source21U.S. renewable incentives PTC/ITC $15 billion 2022
VerifiedUtilities Finance Interpretation
The utility industry is a colossal, debt-laden machine that spins vast revenues into modest, regulated returns, all while trying to fund a historic transformation with one hand and pay steady dividends with the other.
Water Supply
1Global water withdrawal totals 4,000 km³/year, 70% for agriculture in 2022 estimates
Verified2U.S. public water systems serve 90% of population, treating 39 billion gallons/day in 2022
Verified3Global urban water supply coverage 84% in 2022 per WHO/UNICEF
Verified4U.S. residential water use averages 82 gallons/person/day in 2022
Directional5China water consumption 600 billion m³ in 2022, industry 17%
Single source6World desalination capacity 100 million m³/day in 2022
Verified7U.S. wastewater treatment plants number 16,000, treating 34 billion gallons/day 2022
Verified8India groundwater depletion 245 km³/year in 2022
Verified9EU water abstraction 295 km³/year, 44% for cooling in power plants 2022
Directional10California water use 80% agriculture, total 40 million acre-feet in 2022
Single source11Global bottled water market $300 billion in 2022
Verified12U.S. lead service lines 6.1 million estimated in 2022
Verified13Africa safe drinking water access 60% in 2022
Verified14Australia average household water use 300 liters/person/day 2022
Directional15Global wastewater generated 380 km³/year, only 20% treated in 2022
Single source16U.S. PFAS detected in 45% public water systems per 2022 USGS
Verified17Brazil water loss in distribution 39% in 2022
Verified18Japan water supply efficiency 96% non-revenue water low in 2022
Verified19Global investment in water infrastructure $1 trillion needed annually to 2030 per 2022 World Bank
Directional20U.S. combined sewer overflows 850 billion gallons/year average 2022
Single source21Mexico City water deficit 40% of demand in 2022
Verified22Global smart water meters installed 50 million by 2022
Verified23South Africa water leaks 37% of supply in 2022
Verified24U.S. water utility rates up 4.1% average in 2022
Directional25Global water stress affects 2.4 billion people in 2022
Single source26UK's water companies fined £168 million for leaks in 2022
VerifiedWater Supply Interpretation
The statistics paint a starkly modern water paradox: we are simultaneously engineering brilliant efficiency in some cities while presiding over a global system where agriculture drinks the lion's share, billions lack safe access, and we pour more money into bottled water than into fixing the leaks and contamination that make it necessary.
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