TL/DR –

So the U.S. cranked up its natural gas game and now we’re relying on more fossil fuels for electricity than China. While China’s been hydrating its power grid with hydropower, we’re over here getting cozy with more gas plants, which has bumped our fossil fuel dependence to 62.4%. 

The U.S. is leaning more on natural gas in 2024, making it more fossil-fuel reliant for power than China, despite China being the top carbon emitter.

Since June, U.S. electricity demand has been mostly met by gas-fired power, while China’s hydropower uptick has curbed its coal use.

Fossil fuels make up 62.4% of U.S. electricity, higher than China’s 60.5%, per Ember’s data shared by Reuters.

The U.S. aim for a zero-carbon grid by 2035 could be compromised by the natural gas surge.

Natural gas power in the U.S. has climbed 20% from 2019, now accounting for 43% of power supply.

Demand is rising with electrification, needing more power for cooling data centers, and gas plants lead the charge. U.S. firms plan more gas capacity as AI drives electricity demand.

In early 2024, new gas-powered capacity plans were on par with all of 2020, as highlighted by Bloomberg.

Gas-fired electricity is up this year due to high demand from warmer weather and data centers.

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Original Story at oilprice.com