So far in 2018, 45% of the electricity generated in Texas came from the burning of natural gas. That is an increase of market share from the previous year, where natural gas accounted for 38% of the electricity generation in Texas. This should come as no surprise since 25% of the nation’s known gas reserves are located in Texas. Natural gas is cheap and plentiful in the state, and it produces less carbon dioxide emissions than coal.
Coal’s contribution to the electricity grid continues to slide, coming in at 24%. Last year coal accounted for 33% of the state’s electricity generation. By the end of the year, the percentage will be even lower, thanks to a municipal coal plant being mothballed for the winter.
Wind’s contribution to the Texas electricity grid went from 17% to 19%. While that may not sound like much of an increase, Texas is increasing its wind generating capacity at a rate that is triple that of the next fastest state, Oklahoma.
Nuclear and solar did not see a noticeable uptick over last year’s numbers, though that will soon be changing for solar. There are several notable power plants coming online in Texas over the next several years, with solar accounting for 37% of the expected new electricity generation. Of the remaining new electricity production slated for the near future in Texas, wind is expected to make up 47% of it, and gas will be 14%.