Comparing Q3 2023 to Q3 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 742 lb CO₂ per MWh in the third quarter of 2023, which was down 15 percent from the same time frame in 2022.

Comparing performance in 2023 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q3 of 2023 was 44% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 742 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 337 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q3 of 2023, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 706 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 320 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 47% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,359 million metric tonnes, which was 44% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2023 Q3 results

• Total generation was up 2% in 2023 Q3 (1229 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (1205 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 8% in 2023 Q3 (217 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (237 million MWh). Coal represented 18% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Natural Gas generation was up 6% in 2023 Q3 (565 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (535 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 46% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Hydro generation was down 6% in 2023 Q3 (59 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (63 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Wind generation was up 4% in 2023 Q3 (85 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (82 million MWh). Wind represented 7% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Solar generation was up 20% in 2023 Q3 (74 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (62 million MWh). Solar represented 6% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Nuclear generation was up 2% in 2023 Q3 (205 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (201 million MWh). Nuclear represented 17% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Other generation was down 4% in 2023 Q3 (8 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (9 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2023 Q3
• Other Renewables generation was down 8% in 2023 Q3 (16 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q3 (17 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 1% of total generation in 2023 Q3