Comparing Q4 2024 to Q4 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 727 lb CO₂ per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2024, which was down 2 percent from the same time frame in 2023.

Comparing performance in 2024 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q4 of 2024 was 45% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 727 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 330 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q4 of 2024, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 738 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 335 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 Q4 results

• Total generation was up 2% in 2024 Q4 (1036 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (1012 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 2% in 2024 Q4 (155 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (159 million MWh). Coal represented 15% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Natural Gas generation was up 1% in 2024 Q4 (429 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (426 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 41% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Hydro generation was up 5% in 2024 Q4 (54 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (52 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Wind generation was up 10% in 2024 Q4 (121 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (111 million MWh). Wind represented 12% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Solar generation was up 29% in 2024 Q4 (63 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (49 million MWh). Solar represented 6% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Nuclear generation was flat in 2024 Q4 (192 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (193 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Other generation was down 17% in 2024 Q4 (7 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (8 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q4
• Other Renewables generation was down 6% in 2024 Q4 (15 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q4 (16 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q4