Electricity generation by state
How much electricity does each state generate each year? This map shows total annual generation, measured in terawatt-hours (TWh).
This includes electricity generated for any end use, including residential, commercial, and industrial consumption, as well as electricity that is exported to other states.
Clicking on any state will show you how its generation has changed over time. Using the other chart tabs, you can compare generation across states.
Electricity generation per person
You would expect total electricity generation to largely reflect population size. What if we adjust for population to look at electricity generation per person? This map shows per capita generation, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per person per year.
This doesn't just reflect residential electricity use; it captures total electricity generation, including that used for industrial and commercial purposes, and electricity that is exported to other states.
Electricity generation by source
Which sources is electricity generation in each state coming from: coal, natural gas, nuclear, or renewables? This chart shows total annual generation by source, measured in terawatt-hours (TWh). Later on this page, you can explore each source's share of electricity generation.
The map shows electricity generation from natural gas by default, but you can use the dropdown to switch between sources. Clicking on any state will show the change in production from a given source over time.
Electricity generation by source over time
How has this electricity mix changed over time? The chart shows annual generation from each source, measured in terawatt-hours (TWh).
The data is shown for the United States as a whole by default, but you can use the dropdown to see the data for any individual state. Using the "bar chart" tab, you can also compare sources for any given year.
Share of electricity generation by source
Above we looked at electricity generation from sources in absolute terms. This map shows the same data, but given as a share of total electricity generation. This gives us a clear perspective on how the electricity mix is changing.
The map shows the share of electricity generated by gas, by default, but you can use the dropdown to explore the data for any other source. Clicking on any state will show the change in that source's share over time.
Share of electricity generation by source over time
Again, this chart shows the complete electricity mix at once, with each line showing a given source's share of total electricity generation.
The data for the United States as a whole is shown by default, but you can use the dropdown to explore the data for any individual state. Using the "bar chart" tab, you can also compare sources for any given year.
Small- and utility-scale solar
The solar figures above only include utility-scale solar: that is, facilities that are 1 megawatt (MW) or greater. It does not include smaller solar PV installations, such as rooftop systems. The EIA publishes a separate small-scale (distributed) solar estimate, which it began producing in 2014.
This chart shows both utility and small-scale generation, plus their total generation. You can explore this data for any state using the dropdown.
Monthly electricity generation by source
The previous charts focused on annual data, which is useful for understanding long-term changes and transitions. But it's also useful to look at changes in monthly electricity generation, which can capture seasonal patterns, short-term fluctations, and gives a more up-to-date view of how the mix is changing; this is particularly relevant in states that are transitioning rapidly.
The chart shows monthly electricity generation from each source, measured in terawatt-hours (TWh). The data is shown for the United States as a whole by default, but you can use the dropdown to see the data for any individual state.
Monthly share of electricity generation by source
This chart shows the same data as the previous one, but given as a share of total monthly electricity generation.
Installed generating capacity by source
How much electricity is generated from a given source depends on several factors: how much of that technology is installed, but other factors such as weather (hydropower output can vary based on rainfall, wind can fluctatute from year-to-year) and decisions about how often power plants are running.
One metric that helps us understand one of those components is the installed generating capacity of each source. This essentially tells us "how much" coal, gas, nuclear, solar or wind, is installed and ready to generate electrcity. Generating capacity is measured in megawatts (MW). To get total electricity generated, it's then multiplied by the amount of time that capacity is running. We'll get on to that metric in the next section.
The map shows installed generating capacity of natural gas plants by default. But you can use the dropdown to explore the data for any other source. Clicking on any state will show the change in that source's installed capacity over time.
Capacity factors of power plants
The metric that ties electricity generation and installed capacity together is the capacity factor, which measures the amount of electricity generated from a given source relative to how much it would generate if it were running at full power all the time. Capacity factors are measured as a percentage; higher percentages indicating that a source is generating closer to its maximum potential output.
Capacity factors can vary for a number of reasons. One is the physical constraints of the technology itself: solar panels can only generate electricity when sunlight is available, and wind turbines when the wind is blowing. But capacity factors are also influenced by deliberate decisions about how often to run power plants. It may not be economic or optimal to run coal or gas plants continously, particularly if there are large amounts of solar and wind generation available at certain times of the day or year.
The map below shows the average capacity factor of a given source in each state. This is shown for natural gas by default, but you can use the dropdown to explore this data for other sources.
Carbon intensity of electricity production
An important metric that captures progress in decarbonizing electricity production is the carbon intensity of electricity. This measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is emitted per unit of electricity. Switching from coal to gas reduces the carbon intensity, as does shifting from gas to renewables or nuclear power.
The map shows the carbon intensity of electricity generation in each state, measured in pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity. You can click on any state to see if it's making progress on decarbonization, and use the other tabs to compare this intensity across states.
Battery storage capacity
As states transition to more renewable energy sources, battery storage is becoming increasingly important to help balance the grid and provide reliable electricity supplies. Batteries store excess electricity generated during periods of high renewable output, and discharge it during periods of high demand.
This map shows the installed capacity of battery energy storage in each state, measured in megawatts (MW). You can change the metric to energy storage, measured in megawatt-hours, using the dropdown option. Clicking on any state will shows the change over time.