Analysis: Coal loses ground in central US grid
Houston , 6 April (Argus) — Coal generation in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) dropped to 58pc of total power output over the winter, down from 62pc a year earlier, as natural gas, nuclear and wind power all gained market share.
Natural gas’ share of total generation from December 2014 to February 2015 edged up to nearly 20pc from 19pc, with a shift to use of combined-cycle plants over simple-cycle plants, the nine-state grid agency said in a quarterly report filed with state regulators.
Overall power output in the southwest pool over the winter totaled 19,338 GWh, down by 5.8pc from 2014’s much-colder winter.
