Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to generate electricity with different types of power plants?
EIA has historical data on the average annual operation, maintenance, and fuel costs for existing power plants by major fuel/energy source types. The data are presented in Mills per kilowatthour (kWh); to convert Mills to cents per kWh, divide the values by 10.
EIA also forecasts electricity generation costs in the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO). The most recent available for different types of power plants are those in the AEO 2012; see Levelized Cost of New Generation Resources in the Annual Energy Outlook 2012, which includes estimated costs in dollars per Megawatthour assuming a 20-year financial life for various types of power plants that begin operation in 2017. Related to the levelized-cost analysis is the Updated Capital Cost Estimates for Electricity Generation Plants used for the AEO 2011 and 2012.
Details of the AEO forecast, including estimated capital, operation, maintenance, and other costs for most types of new power plants are provided in the Electricity Market and the Renewable Fuels modules of the Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook. Details on the methodology used in the forecast for the Electricity Market Module and Renewable Fuels Module are available in the National Energy Modeling System — Model Documentation Reports for the Electricity Market Module and Renewable Fuels Module.
Last updated: June 27, 2012
Other FAQs about Prices
- Are the prices that EIA publishes adjusted for inflation?
- Does EIA have city or county-level energy consumption and price data?
- Does EIA have gasoline prices by city, county, or zip code?
- Does EIA publish electric utility rate, tariff, and demand charge data?
- How do I calculate/find diesel fuel surcharges?
- How do I compare heating fuels?
- How much does it cost to generate electricity with different types of power plants?
- How much does it cost to produce crude oil and natural gas?
- How much tax do we pay on a gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel?
- What are the differences between various types of crude oil prices?
- What are the different types of coal prices published by EIA?
- What do I pay for in a gallon of regular gasoline?
- What is the outlook for gasoline prices for 2012 and for 2013?
- What is the outlook for home heating fuel prices this winter?
- What was the highest U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline?
- What's up (and down) with gasoline prices?
- Where can I find coking coal prices?
- Where can I find ethanol prices?
- Where can I find inflation-adjusted gasoline prices?
- Where can I find out about energy-related grants or tax credits for my home or business?
- Where can I find prices for off-road diesel fuel?
- Where can I get help paying my utility bills?
- Who do I contact to complain about high energy prices?
- Why am I being charged more for propane than the price on EIA's website?
- Why don't fuel prices change as quickly as crude oil prices?
- Why has diesel fuel been more expensive than gasoline?
- Why is the United States exporting gasoline when prices are so high?