U.S. electricity is still measured in billions of kilowatt hours, but in 2022 the mix shifted in ways operators feel immediately, with coal down to 20% and natural gas rising to 40.3%. At the same time, prices and performance moved together in a tighter relationship than many people expect, from retail rates averaging 15.95 cents per kWh to transmission losses of 5% of generation. Pull these utility scale power, grid, fuels, and water signals side by side and you start to see how reliability, cost, and decarbonization are competing on the same scoreboard.
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 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
- 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
In 2022, U.S. generation shifted toward gas and renewables while global electricity demand and water stress rose.
Related reading
01 · Category
Electricity30 stats
01
In 2022, U.S. electricity generation totaled 4,243 billion kWh, with natural gas accounting for 40.3% of the mix
02
Global electricity consumption grew by 2.6% in 2022 to 27,106 TWh, driven by emerging economies
03
U.S. residential electricity sales reached 1,494 billion kWh in 2022, up 6% from 2021
04
Coal-fired power plants generated 20% of U.S. electricity in 2022, down from 23% in 2020
05
Texas produced 13.3% of U.S. electricity in 2022 at 536 billion kWh
06
Wind power contributed 10.3% to U.S. electricity in 2022, totaling 434 billion kWh
07
U.S. electricity retail prices averaged 15.95 cents/kWh in 2022, up 11.3% from 2021
08
Nuclear power generated 775 billion kWh in the U.S. in 2022, 18.2% of total
09
California generated 285 billion kWh from solar in 2022, 13% of state total
10
U.S. utility-scale battery storage capacity reached 7.4 GW in 2022
11
PJM Interconnection delivered 775 TWh of electricity in 2022
12
U.S. electricity transmission losses were 5% of generation in 2022, or 204 billion kWh
13
Hydroelectric power produced 239 billion kWh in U.S. in 2022, 5.9% of total
14
ERCOT grid peak demand hit 85.5 GW in 2022
15
U.S. industrial electricity use was 970 billion kWh in 2022, 25% of total sales
16
MISO delivered 358 TWh in 2022 across 15 states
17
U.S. electricity end-use efficiency improved 27% since 1990 per EIA data for 2022
18
SPP market served 1,200 TWh demand in 2022
19
U.S. commercial sector used 1,384 billion kWh electricity in 2022
20
NYISO peak load was 33 GW in summer 2022
21
Global electricity demand forecast to rise 3.4% in 2023 per IEA
22
ISO-NE generated 132 TWh in 2022
23
U.S. rooftop solar added 5.8 GW in 2022
24
CAISO peak demand 52 GW in 2022
25
U.S. electricity capacity reached 1,185 GW in 2022
26
Global electricity access reached 92% of population in 2022 per IEA
27
U.S. net electricity generation from renewables hit 844 billion kWh in 2022
28
FERC reported 3,022 GW-hours of interstate electricity trade in 2022
29
U.S. average residential electricity bill $132/month in 2022
30
Europe's electricity demand fell 3.5% in 2022 due to energy crisis
Interpretation
Electricity 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.
02 · Category
Natural Gas30 stats
01
U.S. dry natural gas production hit 36.4 Tcf in 2022, up 8.4%
02
Global natural gas demand rose 0.7% to 4,048 bcm in 2022 despite war
03
U.S. LNG exports reached 11.9 Bcf/d in 2022, up 25%
04
Henry Hub spot price averaged $6.45/MMBtu in 2022, up 127%
05
U.S. natural gas consumption 33.6 Tcf in 2022, electric power sector 40%
06
Permian Basin produced 20.2 Bcf/d natural gas in 2022
07
Europe imported 155 bcm LNG in 2022, up 42% to replace Russian gas
08
U.S. natural gas storage inventories ended 2022 at 2,879 Bcf
09
Haynesville shale output 14.5 Bcf/d in Dec 2022
10
Global LNG trade 404 Mt in 2022, up 6.6%
11
Marcellus/Utica produced 35.7 Bcf/d in 2022
12
U.S. pipeline imports from Canada 8.5 Bcf/d average 2022
13
Russia's natural gas exports to Europe fell 80% in 2022 to 40 bcm
14
U.S. industrial natural gas use 10.5 Tcf in 2022
15
Qatar exported 77 Mt LNG in 2022
16
U.S. residential natural gas deliveries 4.9 Tcf in 2022
17
Australia LNG exports 81 Mt in 2022, leading exporter
18
U.S. natural gas rig count averaged 160 in 2022
19
China's natural gas imports 126 bcm in 2022, up 9%
20
U.S. Gulf Coast LNG capacity 44.8 Bcf/d by end 2022
21
Global natural gas prices averaged $10.50/MMBtu TTF in 2022
22
Eagle Ford natural gas production 6.2 Bcf/d in 2022
23
U.S. commercial natural gas use 3.3 Tcf in 2022
24
Norway exported 121 bcm gas to Europe in 2022, record high
25
U.S. natural gas exports total 12.3 Tcf in 2022
26
Global underground gas storage capacity 427 bcm working volume in 2022
27
Appalachia gas production 32 Bcf/d in 2022
28
U.S. heating degree days 5,400 in 2022-23 winter
29
LNG carrier fleet 562 vessels in 2022
30
U.S. gas pipeline miles 305,000 in 2022
Interpretation
Natural 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.
03 · Category
Renewables25 stats
01
Global renewable electricity capacity reached 3,372 GW in 2022, up 10.7%
02
Wind power added 77 GW globally in 2022, onshore 73 GW
03
Solar PV capacity grew 240 GW worldwide in 2022 to 1,053 GW total
04
U.S. renewable generation 21% of electricity in 2022, 893 billion kWh
05
China installed 87 GW solar in 2022, 38% global total
06
Offshore wind capacity 35 GW global end 2022
07
Hydropower generated 4,150 TWh globally in 2022
08
U.S. solar capacity 139 GW by end 2022
09
EU renewable share 23% of energy in 2022
10
Bioenergy contributed 2,400 TWh electricity globally 2022
11
India added 11.7 GW renewables in 2022, total 175 GW
12
Geothermal capacity 15.9 GW global 2022
13
U.S. wind capacity 141 GW end 2022
14
Brazil renewables 89% of electricity in 2022
15
Green hydrogen projects 347 announced globally 2022
16
Concentrated solar power 6.5 GW global 2022
17
Vietnam renewable capacity 25 GW end 2022
18
Corporate PPA for renewables 25 GW signed 2022
19
Global battery storage for renewables 28 GW/45 GWh in 2022
20
Morocco Noor Ouarzazate CSP 580 MW operational 2022
21
U.S. utility-scale solar added 11.2 GW in 2022
22
Global renewable investment $495 billion in 2022
23
Germany Energiewende renewables 46% electricity 2022
24
Floating offshore wind pilots 100 MW global 2022
25
Global renewable jobs 12.7 million in 2022
Interpretation
Renewables 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Utilities Finance21 stats
01
U.S. Utility revenues $450 billion in 2022
02
Global utility market cap $3.5 trillion end 2022
03
U.S. electric utility capex $100 billion in 2022
04
NextEra Energy revenue $21.1 billion in 2022
05
Duke Energy net income $3.8 billion 2022
06
Southern Company EBITDA $11.5 billion 2022
07
Global utility debt $2.8 trillion in 2022
08
Dominion Energy revenue $14 billion 2022
09
U.S. water utilities revenue $60 billion annually avg 2022
10
Iberdrola net profit €4.34 billion 2022
11
Enel revenue €140.5 billion 2022
12
U.S. regulated utility ROE averaged 9.8% in 2022
13
EDF EBITDA €42.9 billion 2022
14
American Water Works revenue $4.1 billion 2022
15
Sempra Energy net income $2.6 billion 2022
16
U.S. utility dividends $60 billion paid 2022
17
National Grid operating profit £2.7 billion 2022
18
Eversource revenue $11.5 billion 2022
19
Global utility M&A deals $100 billion value 2022
20
Exelon net income $2.3 billion 2022
21
U.S. renewable incentives PTC/ITC $15 billion 2022
Interpretation
Utilities 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.
05 · Category
Water Supply26 stats
01
Global water withdrawal totals 4,000 km³/year, 70% for agriculture in 2022 estimates
02
U.S. public water systems serve 90% of population, treating 39 billion gallons/day in 2022
03
Global urban water supply coverage 84% in 2022 per WHO/UNICEF
04
U.S. residential water use averages 82 gallons/person/day in 2022
05
China water consumption 600 billion m³ in 2022, industry 17%
06
World desalination capacity 100 million m³/day in 2022
07
U.S. wastewater treatment plants number 16,000, treating 34 billion gallons/day 2022
08
India groundwater depletion 245 km³/year in 2022
09
EU water abstraction 295 km³/year, 44% for cooling in power plants 2022
10
California water use 80% agriculture, total 40 million acre-feet in 2022
11
Global bottled water market $300 billion in 2022
12
U.S. lead service lines 6.1 million estimated in 2022
13
Africa safe drinking water access 60% in 2022
14
Australia average household water use 300 liters/person/day 2022
15
Global wastewater generated 380 km³/year, only 20% treated in 2022
16
U.S. PFAS detected in 45% public water systems per 2022 USGS
17
Brazil water loss in distribution 39% in 2022
18
Japan water supply efficiency 96% non-revenue water low in 2022
19
Global investment in water infrastructure $1 trillion needed annually to 2030 per 2022 World Bank
20
U.S. combined sewer overflows 850 billion gallons/year average 2022
21
Mexico City water deficit 40% of demand in 2022
22
Global smart water meters installed 50 million by 2022
23
South Africa water leaks 37% of supply in 2022
24
U.S. water utility rates up 4.1% average in 2022
25
Global water stress affects 2.4 billion people in 2022
26
UK's water companies fined £168 million for leaks in 2022
Interpretation
Water 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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Gabrielle Fontaine. (2026, February 13). Utility Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/utility-industry-statistics
MLA
Gabrielle Fontaine. "Utility Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/utility-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Gabrielle Fontaine. 2026. "Utility Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/utility-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
72 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level