Comparing Q1 2022 to Q1 2021

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 794 lb CO₂ per MWh in the first quarter of 2022, which was down 5 percent from the same time frame in 2021.

Comparing performance in 2022 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q1 of 2022 was 40% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 794 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 360 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q1 of 2022, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 828 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 376 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 37% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,580 million metric tonnes, which was 35% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2022 Q1 results

• Total generation was up 5% in 2022 Q1 (1044 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (998 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 5% in 2022 Q1 (219 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (231 million MWh). Coal represented 21% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Natural Gas generation was up 6% in 2022 Q1 (364 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (344 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 35% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Hydro generation was up 11% in 2022 Q1 (77 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (69 million MWh). Hydro represented 7% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Wind generation was up 23% in 2022 Q1 (120 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (97 million MWh). Wind represented 11% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Solar generation was up 32% in 2022 Q1 (41 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (31 million MWh). Solar represented 4% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Nuclear generation was down 1% in 2022 Q1 (196 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (198 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Other generation was up 11% in 2022 Q1 (11 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (10 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2022 Q1
• Other Renewables generation was down 3% in 2022 Q1 (17 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q1 (18 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2022 Q1