Graphs: U.S. Wind Generation Declined in 2023 for the First Time Since the 1990s

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U.S. electrical energy era from wind generators decreased for the primary time because the mid-Nineties in 2023 regardless of the addition of 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of recent wind capability final yr. Knowledge from our Power Plant Operations Report present that U.S. wind era in 2023 totaled 425,235 gigawatt-hours (GWh), 2.1% lower than the 434,297 GWh generated in 2022.

U.S. wind capability elevated steadily during the last a number of years, greater than tripling from 47.0 GW in 2010 to 147.5 GW on the finish of 2023. Electrical energy era from wind generators additionally grew steadily, at an identical price to capability, till 2023. Final yr, the common utilization price, or capacity factorof the wind turbine fleet fell to an eight-year low of 33.5% (in contrast with 35.9% in 2022, the all-time excessive).

The 2023 decline in wind era signifies that wind as a era supply is maturing after many years of fast progress. Slower wind speeds than regular affected wind era in 2023, particularly in the course of the first half of the yr when wind era dropped by 14% in contrast with the identical interval in 2022. Wind speeds elevated later in 2023, and wind era from August by means of December was 2.4% larger than throughout the identical interval in 2022. Wind speeds had been stronger than regular throughout 2022.

The decline in wind era in 2023 was not uniform throughout america. Wind era decreased essentially the most within the higher Midwest, which incorporates the East North Central Census Division and West North Central Census Division. Wind era within the East North Central Census Division declined by 6% in contrast with 2022, and it declined within the West North Central Census Division by 8%. The Mountain Census Division reported a smaller discount of two%. These three census divisions account for half of the put in wind capability in america.

Wind era in 2023 in different areas of america was barely larger than in 2022. The West South Central Census Division had 3% extra wind era in 2023, and the Pacific Coast Census Division had 1% extra. Wind era in Texas, which has the most important wind era fleet in america, elevated by 4.4% in 2023. Texas had an put in wind capability of 40.7 GW in 2023, accounting for 28% of the nationwide complete.

Principal contributors: Mark Morey, Scott Jell. Information merchandise from US HERE.