Electricity consumption expected to be lowest since 2009 this summer
Summer electricity consumption is expected to be at its lowest level since 2009 this summer, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
U.S. electricity demand is expected to total 998 billion kilowatt hours from June through August, down 5 percent from last summer and the lowest in over a decade. This is largely due to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, primarily in the commercial and industrial sectors, where many businesses remain shut down or partially open. EIA forecasts demand to be 12 percent and 9 percent less, respectively, this summer. That is offset somewhat by an anticipated 3 percent increase in residential electricity demand growth as more people are working from home and practicing social distancing.
Also, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts that this summer will be a little cooler than normal, meaning the demand for air conditioning will be about 1 percent lower than last summer.
Natural gas-fired power plants will generate 467 billion kWh this summer, slightly higher than last summer. Natural gas’s share of electricity generation is expected to increase from 41 percent last summer to 44 percent this summer. Renewable energy share of electricity generation will also increase this summer. Wind electricity generation will grow to 7 percent while solar will grow to 3 percent.
The amount of electricity generation from coal is anticipated to be lower than last summer, generating 178 billion kilowatt hours, down from 272 billion kWh last summer.
