Comparing Q4 2022 to Q4 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 783 lb CO₂ per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2022, which was up 1 percent from the same time frame in 2021.

Comparing performance in 2022 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q4 of 2022 was 41% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 783 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 355 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q4 of 2022, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 804 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 365 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 39% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,568 million metric tonnes, which was 35% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2022 Q4 results

• Total generation was up 3% in 2022 Q4 (1012 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (982 million MWh).
• Coal generation was up 2% in 2022 Q4 (183 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (180 million MWh). Coal represented 18% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Natural Gas generation was up 5% in 2022 Q4 (401 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (382 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 40% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Hydro generation was down 8% in 2022 Q4 (55 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (60 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Wind generation was up 6% in 2022 Q4 (114 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (108 million MWh). Wind represented 11% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Solar generation was up 20% in 2022 Q4 (40 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (33 million MWh). Solar represented 4% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Nuclear generation was down 1% in 2022 Q4 (190 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (192 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Other generation was up 22% in 2022 Q4 (11 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (9 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2022 Q4
• Other Renewables generation was down 1% in 2022 Q4 (17 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q4 (17 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2022 Q4