The US clean energy transition continued to gain momentum in 2024, with wind and solar together generating more electricity than coal for the first time in history. According to a special report, solar generation rose by 27% and met over half of the increase in electricity demand, while gas generation grew three times less than expected.
The country’s shift towards clean energy accelerated, with wind and solar combined reaching a record 17% of total electricity generation. This surpassed coal, which dropped to an all-time low of 15%. The growth was driven by increasing electricity demand, which rose by 3%, the fifth-highest rise this century.
Solar installation expanded rapidly, with California and Nevada surpassing 30% annual share of solar in their electricity mix for the first time. Texas installed more solar capacity than California, but growth was uneven across states. The growth of solar was supported by record-breaking battery installations, which helped transfer daytime solar to evening hours.
The report highlights that gas generation rose by 3.3%, but met only half of the increase in electricity demand. This resulted in a smaller fall in coal generation than expected. Despite this, the US has made significant progress in its clean energy transition, with a 68% fall in coal and a 32% reduction in power sector emissions.
However, the report warns that the historic era of falling power sector CO2 emissions is at risk of ending due to rising electricity demand. The country now faces a key challenge: ensuring its clean generation grows fast enough to meet increasing demand. To achieve this, the transformation of the US energy system will depend on two key trends: expanding clean electricity generation and electrifying energy demand.
The growth of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and renewable energy sources is expected to drive further change in the energy landscape. As the next stage of the US electricity transition begins, it’s crucial that clean power can meet growing demand without raising bills or sacrificing security of supply.
Source: https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/us-electricity-2025-special-report