US Renewable Energy Consumption Surpasses Coal for the First Time in 134 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Last year, for the first time in 134 years, renewable energy consumption in the United States surpassed coal as an energy source, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and Bloomberg News.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announcement on the 28th (local time), renewable energy consumption last year reached 11,500 trillion BTU (British Thermal Unit), exceeding coal energy consumption of 11,300 trillion BTU.

This is the first time since 1885 that renewable energy consumption has surpassed coal energy.

At that time, wood was the primary energy source. Renewable energy includes not only wind and solar energy but also geothermal and wood. Later, with the advent of hydroelectric power plants, coal took the throne as the king of energy sources.

Last year, coal energy consumption decreased by 15% compared to the previous year, continuing a six-year downward trend, while renewable energy increased by 1%.

As power companies continue to shut down coal-fired power plants to address climate change, coal consumption as an energy source is expected to keep declining.

The decrease in electricity demand due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has also negatively impacted coal energy. Coal is relatively more expensive compared to natural gas, wind, and solar energy.

Ben Nelson, senior analyst at Moody's Investor Service, said, "The longer the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the more the coal industry will decline," adding, "Power companies will close more coal-fired power plants."