The latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information's Electric Power Monthlyrevealed that renewable energy surpassed nuclear energy in March and April, with renewables at 21.60 percent versus 20.34 percent for nuclear in March, and 22.98 percent versus 19.19 percent in April.
While it is expected that nuclear and renewable sources will continue to provide approximately one-fifth of the nation's electricity generation in the near-term, the trend line appears to favor a rapidly expanding market share by renewables.
In fact, nuclear capacity has declined over the last four years, a trend which is projected to continue regardless of planned new reactor startups, while the strong growth rates of both wind and solar have resulted in new records continually being set.
In March, those sources provided 10.04 percent of the nation’s electrical generation. In April, wind and solar reached nearly 11 percent of total generation. And, for the first time, wind and solar combined have provided more electricity year-to-date (113,971 TMWh) than hydropower has (111,750 TMWh).
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