Comparing Q4 2020 to Q4 2019

The Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index provides a comprehensive picture of the carbon intensity of electricity production in the during the previous 12 months and over an extended period to 2001. The CMU index also provides a summary of how much electricity generation is from coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. According to the Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index, U.S. power plant emissions averaged 813 lb CO₂ per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2020, which was down 4 percent from the same time frame in 2019.

Comparing performance in 2020 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q4 of 2020 was 38% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 813 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 369 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q4 of 2020, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 806 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 366 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 39% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,481 million metric tonnes, which was 39% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2020 Q4 results

• Total generation was down 1% in 2020 Q4 (969 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (982 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 7% in 2020 Q4 (200 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (215 million MWh). Coal represented 21% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Natural Gas generation was down 4% in 2020 Q4 (366 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (381 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 38% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Hydro generation was up 5% in 2020 Q4 (63 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (60 million MWh). Hydro represented 7% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Wind generation was up 20% in 2020 Q4 (95 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (79 million MWh). Wind represented 10% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Solar generation was up 30% in 2020 Q4 (27 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (21 million MWh). Solar represented 3% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Nuclear generation was down 4% in 2020 Q4 (191 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (199 million MWh). Nuclear represented 20% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Other generation was up 3% in 2020 Q4 (9 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (9 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2020 Q4
• Other Renewables generation was up 2% in 2020 Q4 (18 million MWh) when compared to 2019 Q4 (18 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2020 Q4