Coal began to be used to heat American homes and factories in the 1880s. More than a hundred years have passed since then, but even now cheap fuel is actively used at stations designed to generate electricity. For decades, coal-fired plants dominated the US, but they are gradually being replaced by renewable energy sources, which have been rapidly gaining momentum in recent years.
Network sources report that in April 2019, for the first time, renewable energy managed to outshine coal plants in the United States. Renewables generated 16% more electricity than coal plants in April, according to the Energy Information Administration. In May, the country's renewable energy is expected to grow by another 1,4% relative to coal.
Due to the fact that renewable energy sources are used seasonally, by the end of 2019, coal-fired plants will again generate more electricity. Despite this, there is a certain upward trend in renewable energy. It is expected that next year the volume of electricity produced will be approximately equal.
Representatives of the non-profit organization Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) say that despite ignoring the monthly reports in this direction by coal energy adherents, they are important and clearly demonstrate that a fundamental shift has already occurred in the electricity generation sector. They note that renewable energy is catching up with coal plants, outpacing the growth rate previously projected.
Source: 3dnews.ru