Net electricity generation in the United States from 1990 to 2025, by energy source (in terawatt-hours)

In the United States, electricity derived from coal has decreased over the past two decades, with the annual output declining by almost 63 percent between 2010 and 2025. In contrast, there has been a rise in natural gas and renewable sources within the energy mix.

How is electricity generated in the U.S.?

Most electricity in the U.S. is generated from steam turbines, which can be powered by fossil and nuclear fuels, biomass, geothermal, and solar thermal energy. Other systems such as gas turbines, hydro turbines, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics are also major generation technologies. Electric utilities in the U.S. generated more than 2,690 terawatt hours in 2025, accounting for just over half of the power output in the country that year.

Growing renewable capacity

Renewable sources have become more prominent in the U.S. over the past years, particularly wind, hydro, and solar energy. The former has overtaken conventional hydropower, becoming the leading renewable energy source in the U.S. since 2019. Wind and solar power have also accounted for the largest share of electricity capacity additions in the country in recent years.