U.S. Wind Generation Hits Record High During April 2024: EIA

U.S. wind generation hit a record high during April 2024, according to a Aug. 13 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In addition, electricity produced as a result of wind generation surpassed coal fired production during both March and April 2024. Prior to this, U.S. wind generation surpassed coal-fired generation for the first time in April 2023.

U.S. wind installations generated 45.9 giggawatthours (GWh) of power during March 2024, in comparison to 38.4 GWh from coal fired generation. Wind generation set a record high during April 2024 of 47.7 GWh, while coal generation declined to 37.2 GWh. In contrast, coal fired power generation was 15 percent higher than U.S. wind production, during the January to April 2024 period.

Installed wind power generation capacity has risen over the last 25 years, increasing from 2.4 gigawatts (GW) during 2000 to 150.1 GW in April 2024. The agency projects 7.1 GW of wind capacity to become operational across the U.S. during 2024.

The U.S. electricity generation mix has significantly changed over the last two decades. During March 2004, coal fired power generation was recorded at 154.3 GWh, while power was 1.3 GWh. The structural change in the U.S. generation mix can be attributed to coal plants retiring due to age and inefficiencies and wind power generation capacity increasing.

In addition, coal has been replaced by gas in the generation mix in recent years due to an increase in capacity and competitiveness of natural gas combined cycle plants. A vast number of coal assets have been phased out over the last 25 years, with total capacity declining from 315.1 GW during 2000 to 177.1 GW in April 2024.

Wind generation varies throughout the year and also across regions, based on local atmospheric and geographic conditions. Generation from wind is usually at its highest during spring and lowest during mid to late summer.

Wind power has no other variable cost or fuel associated with its production and this is the key difference between wind generation and other conventional fossil fuel generators. Wind power generation is highly correlated with the average wind speed and therefore wind plant capacity factors are highest during windier periods of the year.