Power Sector Carbon Index – 2024 Q3 Update

Comparing Q3 2024 to Q3 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 803 lb CO2 per MWh in the third quarter of 2024, which was down 5 percent from the same time frame in 2023.

Comparing performance in 2024 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q3 of 2024 was 39% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO2 per MWh to 803 lb CO2 per MWh (or 599 to 364 g CO2 per kWh). As of Q3 of 2024, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 743 lb CO2 per MWh (or 337 g CO2 per kWh), which is 44% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO2 emissions were 1,469 million metric tonnes, which was 40% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2024 Q3 results

  • Total generation was up 1% in 2024 Q3 (1237 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (1230 million MWh).
  • Coal generation was down 10% in 2024 Q3 (195 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (217 million MWh). Coal represented 16% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Natural Gas generation was up 3% in 2024 Q3 (580 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (564 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 47% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Hydro generation was down 2% in 2024 Q3 (59 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (60 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Wind generation was up 1% in 2024 Q3 (85 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (85 million MWh). Wind represented 7% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Solar generation was up 26% in 2024 Q3 (93 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (74 million MWh). Solar represented 8% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Nuclear generation was down 1% in 2024 Q3 (202 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (205 million MWh). Nuclear represented 16% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Other generation was down 26% in 2024 Q3 (6 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (8 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q3
  • Other Renewables generation was down 2% in 2024 Q3 (16 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q3 (16 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q3