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Renewables Surge as Percentage of U.S. Electricity

09/11/2009

By Emily Bragonier
This article originally appeared on BuildingGreen.com

Photo: Energy Information Administration

The percentage of electricity generation provided by renewables is growing. Between April 2008 and April 2009, renewables provided 11.1 percent of electricity; between January and May 2009, they provided 11.6 percent.

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A recent report from the Energy Information Administration confirms a rapid increase in the percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources, crediting renewables with 11.1 percent of total U.S. electrical generation.

The report covered a 12-month period ending in April 2009 and examined both hydropower and non-hydro renewables, including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. According to the findings for absolute output, hydropower generation jumped 8.22 percent, while non-hydro renewables saw a 12.47 percent increase over the previous year. Moreover, 4.24 percent of U.S. electrical output in April came from non-hydro renewables—1.24 percent higher than the target in the pending Senate energy bill for 2013.

Energy conservation has also increased, with net electricity generation dropping 5 percent from April 2008 to April 2009. Conversely, generation from coal, natural gas, and nuclear power declined as much as 13.9 percent.