Overview of the current energy mix, and the place in the market of different energy sources -

Due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. total energy consumption in 2020 is on pace to decline for a second straight year. Consumption in the first half of 2020 was 45 quadrillion British thermal units (Quads) compared to 50 Quads during the same periods in 2019 and 2018. For the entire year 2019, the U.S. consumed 100.3 Quads and produced 101.1 Quads.

Renewables -

Wind and solar consumption in 2019 constituted 11 percent of electric generation, the same percentage as in 2018, but renewables have thus far bucked the overall trend of declining energy consumption in 2020. For the first time in the U.S., wind generated more electricity than coal for several days in the spring of 2020. Solar also increased in the first six months of 2020 from the same period in 2019.

Originally published from Global Legal Group, Ltd. - December 2020.