Nonutility power plant generating capacity in the United States increased 33 percent in 1998, to 98,085 megawatts (nameplate capacity). Most of the increase represented purchases of electric utility assets by nonutilities rather than construction of new generating units. At the end of the year, nonutility generating capacity equaled about 12 percent of total electricity industry capacity.
Natural gas was the most prominent energy source at nonutility power plants in 1998, accounting for 38 percent of total capacity (see figure). Petroleum and natural gas combined (in dual-fired plants) accounted for 24 percent, followed by renewable energy (18 percent), coal (14 percent), and petroleum only (3 percent). All other sources accounted for 3 percent. In 1998, 5,367 megawatts of new capacity began operation, 39 percent of it gas-fired and another 28 percent fired by petroleum and natural gas combined. Nonutilities announced plans for 61,456 megawatts of new capacity, more than 70 percent of it gas-fired, through 2003.
This new report summarizes U.S. nonutility data for 1998, including detailed data on existing and planned nameplate capacity and net summer capability by energy source and prime mover, as well as information on facility owners and locations.
Inventory of Nonutility Electric Power Plants in the United States 1998, DOE/EIA-0095(98)/2; 259 pages, 16 tables, 11 figures.
As many readers of the Monthly Energy Review (MER) are aware, the U.S. electricity industry is undergoing a major restructuring, as State and Federal legislation and regulatory actions create a climate of greater competition among utility and nonutility providers of electricity. Both Energy Plugs this month focus on aspects of this transformation. In addition to the reports described in the Plugs, many others on electricity restructuring can be found on EIA's website. The January 2000 issue of the MER introduces an extensively reconfigured Section 7 (Electricity), which now provides statistics on net generation, imports, exports, and end use, as well as net generation by fuel source, for the industry as a whole.
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File last modified: January 25, 2000