Gas-Fired Generation in Pennsylvania Has Doubled Since 2013: EIA

Natural gas fired electricity generation has risen in Pennsylvania since 2013, according to a Jan. 29 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. During October 2024, natural gas fired generation accounted for 57 percent of the power produced in the state, over double the share compared to October 2013. Over the last decade, natural gas has become the main fuel source for power generation in the state, surpassing coal fired power generation in 2016 and nuclear powered generation in 2019 on a yearly basis. During July 2024, natural gas fired power generation hit a record high in the state of 15.3 million megawatthours (MWh), due to widespread heatwaves.

The increase in gas as a fuel in the power generation mix can be attributed to higher natural gas production in the state and lower costs of natural gas compared to other energy sources. Moreover, power generators in the state made investments in new technologies that enhanced the efficiency of natural gas as a source of power generation.

During 2023, Pennsylvania’s marketed natural gas production accounted for about one-fifth of total U.S. gas output, making it the second-largest natural gas producer in the U.S., after Texas. In 2023, Pennsylvania’s marketed natural gas production reached a record high of nearly 7.6 trillion cubic feet, due to enhanced well productivity.

During the 2013 to 2023 period, fuel usage for power generation in the state shifted away from mostly coal to natural gas. Pennsylvania sits on top of Marcellus shale play within the Appalachian Basin where dry natural gas production has more than doubled over the last decade. Dry natural gas production in the state rose from 8.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during 2013 to 20.8 Bcf/d in 2023.

Pennsylvania generates more electricity than it utilizes, as a result generators send excess electricity to neighbouring states. During 2023, Pennsylvania sent 83.4 million MWh of electricity to other states.

Higher natural gas utilization in the electric power sector was the main driver of increased use in the state over the past decade. During 2013, natural gas consumption for power generation averaged 1.0 Bcf/d. Natural gas utilization in the electric power sector has significantly increased since then, reaching 2.6 Bcf/d in 2023, while usage in the commercial, residential, and industrial sectors remained relatively constant. During the 2013 and 2023 period, natural gas consumption in Pennsylvania rose by 64 percent, or 1.7 Bcf/d, the largest percentage increase among the top five natural gas consuming states in the U.S. during 2023.