The growth of renewables in the United States

[OKIsItJustMe]

These charts, courtesy of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, are current as of March 2025. I accept no credit or blame.

The first chart shows electricity generated by nuclear power. (It ranges roughly between 55K and 75K.)


This second chart shows electricity generated by renewable sources. The top (blue) line is “other renewables.” The next (“dark orange?”) line is “wind.” The third (green) line is "utility solar.” The chart contains other categories, but they’re “also rans."


My Take-aways:

1. In March, 2025 “other renewables” fell just short of 80K, beating “nuclear’s" best monthly performance in a ¼ century.
2. In the same month, “Wind” exceeded 60K competing with “Nuclear.” Assuming its “growth rate” continues, “Wind” should exceed “Nuclear” in the not-too-distant future.
3. “Wind" is generating more electricity than “utility solar” but “Wind” has roughly a decade’s lead, and “utility solar’s” growth rate is accelerating quickly.

Now, it’s not a competition. We need a clean grid, and most authorities agree that it must include increased use of nuclear power. However, by the same token, it should be clear that nuclear power will not be carrying the load alone.

If you care to read about scenarios for creating a clean grid, I highly recommend the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s 100% Clean Electricity by 2035 Study.

Denholm, Paul, Patrick Brown, Wesley Cole, et al. 2022. Examining Supply-Side Options to Achieve 100% Clean Electricity by 2035. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A40-81644. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy22osti/81644.pdf

(It’s a few years old, and we’re not on schedule, but, the basic facts remain the same.)