Renewable Energy Leads New U.S. Electric Generating Capacity for First Time

In 2007, non-hydroelectric renewable energy sources accounted for the largest portion of electric generating capacity additions, according to a recently-released report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Total electric power generation increased 2.3 percent, from 4,065 million megawatt hours (MWh) in 2006 to 4,157 million MWh in 2007. Total net summer capacity increased 8,673 MWh in 2007. Remarkably, wind capacity accounted for 5,186 MW of the increase in summer capacity. Wood and wood derived fuels electric generating capacity remained stable percentage-wise, and still represents the largest source (37.1 percent) of non-hydroelectric renewable generation.

Conventional hydroelectric is still the leader in renewable energy electric power generation accounting for 6 percent of total net generation, but it declined 14.4 percent in 2007 primarily due to drought conditions and above average temperatures in the Southeast, Mountain West, and West. Coal powered generation increased, but its share of total net generation declined to 48.5 percent as a result of increases in nuclear, natural gas, and renewable generation.

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