Comparing Q4 2023 to Q4 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 743 lb CO₂ per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was down 6 percent from the same time frame in 2022.

Comparing performance in 2023 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q4 of 2023 was 44% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 743 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 337 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q4 of 2023, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 760 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 345 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 42% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,464 million metric tonnes, which was 40% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2023 Q4 results

• Total generation was flat in 2023 Q4 (1012 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (1009 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 14% in 2023 Q4 (158 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (184 million MWh). Coal represented 16% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Natural Gas generation was up 5% in 2023 Q4 (422 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (402 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 42% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Hydro generation was up 4% in 2023 Q4 (55 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (53 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Wind generation was down 1% in 2023 Q4 (112 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (113 million MWh). Wind represented 11% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Solar generation was up 23% in 2023 Q4 (49 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (40 million MWh). Solar represented 5% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Nuclear generation was up 1% in 2023 Q4 (193 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (190 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Other generation was down 29% in 2023 Q4 (8 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (11 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2023 Q4
• Other Renewables generation was down 8% in 2023 Q4 (15 million MWh) when compared to 2022 Q4 (17 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2023 Q4