Section 7. Electricity - Statistical Data Included - Industry Overview

Monthly Energy Review, April, 2001

Overview. Electricity is produced by electric utilities, which are the traditional, regulated part of the industry, and nonutility power producers, which are expanding rapidly as the industry, moves away from regulated entities.

In 2000, U.S. electricity net generation totaled 3.8 trillion kilowatthours. Electric utilities generated 3.0 trillion kilowatthours (79 percent of the total) and nonutility power producers generated 0.8 trillion kilowatthours (21 percent). The Nation imported 50 billion kilowatthours of electricity and exported 15 billion kilowatthours.

Net Generation. In January 2001, total net generation of electricity was forecast as 339 billion kilowatthours, 5 percent more than in January 2000. At utilities, net generation was forecast as 266 billion kilowatthours, up slightly, while at nonutility power plants, net generation was forecast as 73 billion kilowatthours, up 28 percent, compared to 1 year earlier.

At utilities in January 2001, fossil fuels (primarily coal) were forecast to account for 70 percent of net generation, nuclear 23 percent, and renewable resources 8 percent. At nonutility power plants, fossil fuels (primarily natural gas) were forecast to account for 77 percent of net generation, nuclear 10 percent; and renewable resources 13 percent.

Electric Utility Retail Sales. January 2001 total utility sales of electricity to end-users were forecast at 301 billion kilowatthours, 6 percent more than in January 2000. January 2001 electricity sales to residential consumers were forecast at 119 billion kilowatthours (39 percent of the month's total), commercial users 86 billion kilowatthours (29 percent), industrial consumers 87 billion kilowatthours of electricity (29 percent), and other users 9 billion kilowatthours (3 percent).

Consumption of Fossil Fuels. In January 2001, 94 million short tons of coal were were forecast as consumed to generate electricity, 8 percent more than in January 2000. Of the total, 78 million short tons (2 percent more than a year earlier) were forecast as consumed at electric utilities and 15 million short tons (55 percent more than a year earlier) were consumed by nonutility power producers.

In January 2001, 422 billion cubic feet of natural gas were forecast as consumed to generate electricity, 3 percent less than in January 2000. Of the total, 145 billion cubic feet (24 percent less than a year earlier) was consumed by electric utilities and 277 billion cubic feet (14 percent more than a year earlier) was consumed by nonutility power plants.

Stocks of Coal and Petroleum. At the end of January 2001, 94 million short tons of coal were forecast as held in storage for electricity generation, 32 percent less than in January 2000. Of the total, 84 million short tons (31 percent less than a year earlier) were held at electric utilities and 10 million short tons (34 percent less than a year earlier) were held by nonutility power plants.

At the end of January 2001, 47 million barrels of petroleum liquids (i.e., heavy and light oil) were forecast as held in storage for electricity generation, 24 percent more than in January 2000.

Figure 7.1 Electricity Overview

(Billion Kilowatthours)

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Overview, 1999

Net Generation   3,706
Imports             43
Exports             14
End Use          3,501

Note: Table made from a bar graph.
Net Generation, 2000

Electric Utilities           3,010
Nonutility Power Producers     782

Note: Table made from a bar graph.
End Use, 1999

Electric Utility Retail Sales   3,312
NPP(a) Direct Use                 147
NPP(a) Sales to End Users          42

Note: Table made from a bar graph.

(a) Nonutility power producers.

Note: Because vertical scales differ, graphs should not be compared.

Source: Table 7.1.

Figure 7.2 Electricity Net Generation

(Billion Kilowatthours, Except as Noted)

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Electric Utility Sources, 2000

Coal            56%
Hydroelectric    8%
Other(a)         3%
Nuclear         23%
Natural Gas     10%

Note: Table made from a pie chart.
Shares of Net Generation by Producer Type
and Source Category, 2000

                         Electric    Nonutility Power
                         Utilities      Producers

Percent

Fossil Fuels               68             81
Nuclear Electric Power     23              6
Renewable Energy            9             13

Note: Table made from a bar graph.
Nonutility Power Producer Sources, 2000

Natural Gas           39%
Wood and Waste         8%
Hydroelectric Power    3%
Other(b)              15%
Coal                  35%

Note: Table made from a pie chart.
By Selected Source, January 2001

                         Electric    Nonutility Power
                         Utilities      Producers

Coal                        157             27
Natural Gas                  14             25
Petroleum                    15              3
Nuclear Electric Power       60              7
Hydroelectric Power          20              2

Note: Table made from a bar graph.

(a) Petroleum, geothermal, wood, waster, wind, and solar.

(b) Petroleum, other gas, geothermal, wind, solar, hydrogen, sulfur,
batteries, chemicals, and purchased steam.

Note: Because vertical scales differ, graphs should not be compared.

Source: Table 7.2-7.4.