Black & Veatch Says Gas Could Overtake Coal as Primary Fuel for U.S. Power Generation

Renewable energy capacity will more than triple, while doubling its overall percentage of the U.S. energy mix, by 2036. In addition, natural gas could overtake coal as the primary fuel for U.S. power generation. These conclusions and many more are among key findings from Black & Veatch’s year-end Energy Market Perspective(EMP).

“Organizations will continue building out renewable energy projects at a furious pace to take advantage of tax credit incentives as well as to meet state renewable portfolio standards,” said Robert Patrylak, Managing Director of Black & Veatch’s EMP service. “Additionally, the presumed abundance of a reliable, cost-effective domestic natural gas supply supports continued construction of natural gas-fueled power generation.”

This continued growth of renewable and natural gas-fueled generation will off-set anticipated declines from coal-fired generation due to increasing regulations.

“As part of our year-end forecast, we completed a detailed study of potential economic coal plant retirements resulting from the compliance cost of EPA requirements on air emissions,” said Patrylak. “Our analysis suggests up to 61,500 megawatts (MW) – approximately 20 percent of today’s coal fleet – could be retired by 2020.”

The Black & Veatch EMP is updated semi-annually and provides a holistic view of how the energy industry is likely to evolve. The subscription-based service provides Black & Veatch electric, natural gas, oil and financial clients with a base case of how key issues, such as regulation, legislation, technology, fuel supply, fuel prices and economic growth, will impact energy markets.

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LNG World News Staff, December 16, 2011; Image: Black & Veatch