For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide

In 2024, wind and solar combined to produce 17% of US electricity, surpassing coal for the first time nationwide. This shift is driven by market dynamics, cost-effective renewables, and state-level policies, with 24 states now generating more electricity from wind and solar than from coal.

• In 2024, wind and solar combined to produce a record 17% (757 TWh) of US electricity, which is the first time they have surpassed coal nationwide. Coal generation fell to an all-time low of 15%. Wind and solar generation increased by 15% (+97 TWh) compared to 2023.
• Since its peak in 2007, US coal generation has decreased by over two-thirds (-68%), a decline of 1,364 TWh. This has been offset by a twentyfold expansion of wind and solar (+722 TWh) and a more than doubling of gas generation (+968 TWh).
• Wind and solar have overtaken coal in 24 US states since 2007, with half of those transitions occurring in the last six years. Illinois was the most recent to cross over in 2024, following Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Maryland in 2023. In five states—Kansas, Iowa, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Colorado—wind and solar are now the largest source of generation.
• The transition away from coal is driven by market dynamics, the reduced unit costs of wind and solar, and specific state policies. For example, the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois and the 2019 Energy Transition Act in New Mexico mandated the retirement of coal plants. Other states, including Vermont, Minnesota, and Oregon, have used Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) or clean energy targets.
• While the shift to wind and solar has reduced carbon intensity, particularly where they replace coal directly, the overall reduction in emissions is being slowed by rising gas generation used to meet increasing electricity demand.

APA

Ember (2025). For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/

Chicago

Ember. For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide |date=6 March 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025first, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }