Comparing Q1 2017 to Q1 2016

The Power Sector Carbon Index was 955 lb CO₂ per MWh in Q1 of 2017, an increase of less than 1% when compared to Q1 of 2016. Coal continued to contribute the largest share of electricity generation in the first quarter of 2017, after natural gas held that spot for the first three quarters of 2016. Electricity generation from renewables was higher in the first quarter of 2017 when compared to the first quarter of 2016, reducing some of the impact on the Power Sector Carbon Index from the increased coal electricity generation. Total direct CO₂ emissions from the power sector in Q1 2017 were down 1.5% from Q1 of 2016.

Comparing Annual Performance to 2005

The rolling annual average of the Power Sector Carbon Index for the past four quarters was nearly 24% lower than in the annual value in 2005, decreasing from 1,324 lbs of CO₂ per MWh to 1,007 lbs of CO₂ per MWh (or 600 to 456 g CO₂ per kWh).

Highlights of the 2017 Q1 Results

• The Power Sector Carbon Index was up by 1% in Q1 2017 when compared to Q1 2016.
• Total electricity generation was down 2% in the first quarter of 2017 when compared to the first quarter of 2016.
• Coal generation was up by 5% in the first quarter of 2017 (292 million MWh) when compared to the first quarter of 2016 (278 million MWh). Coal represented 31% of total generation in the first quarter of 2017.
• Carbon intensity of coal generation was down by less than 1% in Q1 2017 (2241 lb CO₂ per MWh) when compared to Q1 2016 (2242 lb CO₂ per MWh).
• Natural gas generation was down by 16% in the first quarter of 2017 (263 million MWh) when compared to the first quarter of 2016 (312 million MWh). Natural gas represented 28% of total generation in the first quarter of 2017.
• Carbon intensity of natural gas generation was up by about 2% in Q1 2017 (923 lb CO₂ per MWh) when compared to Q1 2016 (908 lb CO₂ per MWh).
• Renewable electricity generation was up by 9.7% in the first quarter of 2017 (184 Million MWh) when compared to the first quarter of 2016 (168 million MWh). Renewables represented 19% of total generation in the first quarter of 2017.
• Nuclear electricity generation was down by 1% in the first quarter of 2017 (202 Million MWh) when compared to the first quarter of 2016 (204 million MWh). Nuclear represented 21% of total generation in the first quarter of 2017.
• Total direct CO₂ emissions from the power sector in Q1 2017 were 412.3 billion metric tons, down 1.5% from 418.7 billion metric tons in Q1 of 2016.

Quarterly direct CO₂ emissions from power generation