Utility-Scale Solar and Batteries Dominate New US Power Plants in First Half of Year

Overview of New Power Plants

From January to June, 368 utility-scale power plants commenced operations in the United States, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration. This period saw a mix of energy sources, though solar and battery storage projects were the most numerous.

Dominance of Solar and Batteries

The primary trend in new power plant completions for the first half of the year was the expansion of utility-scale solar and battery storage. Solar projects led with 207 new installations, followed by battery storage with 95. This indicates a significant shift towards these renewable and energy storage technologies.

Notable Large-Scale Projects

Among the largest new plants were SunZia Wind South and SunZia Wind North in New Mexico, which are the country's largest wind farms with a combined capacity of 3,650 megawatts. The Trumbull Energy Center, a 900-megawatt natural gas plant in Ohio, also began operation. Vineyard Wind, an offshore wind project near Massachusetts, also came online. However, these large projects, many of which had long development timelines, are not seen as representative of current broader trends in new power plant development.

Green River Energy Center Example

The Green River Energy Center in Utah, with 800 megawatts including 400 megawatts of solar and 400 megawatts of batteries, is cited as an example of the broader trend towards combined solar and battery installations. This project reflects the increasing integration of renewable generation with energy storage solutions.