Power Sector Carbon Index – 2023 Q1 Update

Comparing Q1 2023 to Q1 2022

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 720 lb CO2 per MWh in the first quarter of 2023, which was down 9 percent from the same time frame in 2022.

Comparing performance in 2023 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q1 of 2023 was 45% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO2 per MWh to 720 lb CO2 per MWh (or 599 to 327 g CO2 per kWh). As of Q1 of 2023, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 786 lb CO2 per MWh (or 357 g CO2 per kWh), which is 40% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO2 emissions were 1,520 million metric tonnes, which was 37% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2023 Q1 results

  • Total generation was down 4% in 2023 Q1 (1001 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (1040 million MWh).
  • Coal generation was down 29% in 2023 Q1 (156 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (219 million MWh). Coal represented 16% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Natural Gas generation was up 9% in 2023 Q1 (394 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (363 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 39% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Hydro generation was down 16% in 2023 Q1 (63 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (74 million MWh). Hydro represented 6% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Wind generation was up 5% in 2023 Q1 (125 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (119 million MWh). Wind represented 13% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Solar generation was up 8% in 2023 Q1 (44 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (41 million MWh). Solar represented 4% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Nuclear generation was down 1% in 2023 Q1 (194 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (196 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Other generation was down 28% in 2023 Q1 (8 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (11 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2023 Q1
  • Other Renewables generation was down 7% in 2023 Q1 (16 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q1 (17 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2023 Q1