How old are U.S. power plants?

Energy in Brief

Tuesday, 05 March 2013

Last Updated: March 05, 2013

The current fleet of electric power generators has a wide range of ages. About 540 gigawatts, or 51% of all generating capacity, were at least 30 years old at the end of 2012. Trends in generating capacity additions vary by fuel type.1

Stacked area chart of Current (2012) capacity by initial year of operation and fuel type, gigawatts. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860 Annual Electric Generator Report , and Form EIA-860M (Tables ES3 and ES4 in the January 2013 Electric Power Monthly)
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Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860 Annual Electric Generator Report, and Form EIA-860M (see Tables ES3 and ES4 in the January 2013 Electric Power Monthly)
Note: Data for 2012 are preliminary. Existing generators with online dates earlier than 1930 are predominantly hydroelectric. Data include non-retired plants existing as of year-end 2012; retired generators are excluded. This chart shows the most recent (summer) capacity data for each generator. However, this number may change over time, if a generator undergoes an uprate or derate.

Which types of power plants are oldest?

The current fleet of electric power generators has a wide range of ages. The Nation's oldest power plants tend to be hydropower generators.

Most coal-fired plants were built before 1980. There was a wave of nuclear plant construction from the late 1960s to about 1990. The most recent waves of generating capacity additions include natural gas-fired units in the 2000s and renewable units, primarily wind, coming online in the late 2000s.

What is the age of U.S. generating capacity?

About 540 GW, or 51% of all generating capacity, were at least 30 years old at the end of 2012 (see chart below). Most gas-fired capacity is less than 20 years old, while 74% of all coal-fired capacity was 30 years old or older at the end of 2012. Companies routinely undertake capital improvement projects to extend the life of their generating capacity. The 'other' category includes solar, biomass, and geothermal generators, as well as landfill gas, municipal solid waste, and a variety of small-magnitude fuels such as byproducts from industrial processes (e.g., black liquor, blast furnace gas).

Chart showing age and capacity of electric generators in 2012 by fuel type. Source, EIA Form EIA-860 and EIA-860M

What are the trends for each type of generator?

Learn more about trends in generating capacity additions by fuel type in the following articles:

Coal – Today in Energy, June 28, 2011 Nuclear – Today in Energy, June 30, 2011 Natural Gas – Today in Energy, July 5, 2011 Hydropower – Today in Energy, July 8, 2011 Wind – Today in Energy, July 13, 2011 Oil – Today in Energy, July 18, 2011