Perusing Power Generator Trends

Here is an interesting graphic from the U.S. Energy Information Administration that shows the dramatic shift in fuel types used for power generation since 2000...

           

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860 Annual Electric Generator Report , and Form EIA-860M (see Table ES3 in the March 2011 Electric Power Monthly) 
Note: Data for 2010 are preliminary. Generators with online dates earlier than 1930 are predominantly hydroelectric. Data include non-retired plants existing as of year-end 2010. This chart shows the most recent (summer) capacity data for each generator. However, this number may change over time, if a generator undergoes an uprate or derate.

• Most coal-fired plants were built before 1980.
• There was a wave of nuclear plant construction from the late 1960s to about 1990.
• The most recent waves of generating capacity additions include natural gas-fired units in the 2000s and renewable units, primarily wind, coming online in the late 2000s.

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