Comparing Q1 2024 to Q1 2023

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 718 lb CO₂ per MWh in the first quarter of 2024, which was down 1 percent from the same time frame in 2023.

Comparing performance in 2024 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q1 of 2024 was 46% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 718 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 326 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q1 of 2024, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 758 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 344 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 43% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,474 million metric tonnes, which was 39% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2024 Q1 results

• Total generation was up 4% in 2024 Q1 (1040 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (1001 million MWh).
• Coal generation was flat in 2024 Q1 (158 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (158 million MWh). Coal represented 15% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Natural Gas generation was up 7% in 2024 Q1 (422 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (394 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 41% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Hydro generation was up 4% in 2024 Q1 (64 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (61 million MWh). Hydro represented 6% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Wind generation was down 3% in 2024 Q1 (122 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (126 million MWh). Wind represented 12% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Solar generation was up 26% in 2024 Q1 (55 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (44 million MWh). Solar represented 5% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Nuclear generation was up 1% in 2024 Q1 (197 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (194 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Other generation was down 9% in 2024 Q1 (7 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (8 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q1
• Other Renewables generation was down 8% in 2024 Q1 (15 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q1 (16 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q1