During the first four months of 2022, electricity generation from renewable energy sources accounted for more than 25% of the country’s electricity. In April alone, renewables accounted for 29.3% – a record high.
And for the first time ever, the combination of just wind and solar power produces more electricity in April than the country’s nuclear power plants — 17.96% more.
This is according to a SUN DAY Campaign analysis of data in EIAs Electricity monthly report. The report also finds that solar (including homes) has increased by 28.93% in the first third of this year, while wind has increased by 24.25%. Combined, solar and wind grew 25.46% and accounted for more than one-sixth (16.67%) of US electricity generation (wind: 12.24%, solar: 4.43%).
Hydropower also increased by 9.99% in the first four months of 2022. However, wind alone provided 70.89% more electricity than hydropower. Along with contributions from geothermal and biomass, the mix of renewables grew by 18.49% and provided 25.52% of the country’s electricity during the first four months of 2022.
In the first third of the year, renewables surpassed coal and nuclear power by 26.13% and 37.80%, respectively. In fact, electricity generation from coal fell by 3.94% compared to the same period in 2021, while nuclear power decreased by 1.80%.
“Despite headwinds such as the COVID pandemic, grid access issues and disruptions in global supply chains, solar and wind power continues to thrive,” said Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign. In addition, by surpassing nuclear power by ever-increasing margins, they exemplify the folly of trying to revive the soon-to-stop Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in California and the recently retired Palisades reactor in Michigan rather than focus. on accelerating the growth of renewable energy sources.”
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