- EIA says in 2022 solar PV will contribute the largest amount to the US utility scale electricity generation capacity with 21.5 GW
- Natural gas will follow with 9.6 GW, and wind energy with 7.6 GW; wind energy had a record-high year in 2021 when it added 17.1 GW
- Battery storage capacity is likely to grow by 5.1 GW in 2022, due to various factors including declining costs and pairing with renewables
Solar will be the dominant source of electricity generation in the US in 2022, contributing 21.5 GW to the 46.1 GW of new utility scale electricity generation capacity the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects the country to add this year.
Of the total utility scale solar capacity planned, Texas is expected to account for 28% of the national total with 6.1 GW, followed by California bringing online another 4 GW.
Compare the forecast for solar to the 15.5 GW that EIA says the US added in 2021 with 6.9 GW scheduled for the last 2 months of 2021. The agency’s assumptions are based on planned additions reported by developers and power plant owners, submitted through its annual and monthly surveys that it compiles in Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. Following solar energy, natural gas will add 9.6 GW capacity in 2022.
Wind energy had a ‘record-high’ of 17.1 GW in 2021, having installed 7.2 GW in the last 2 months alone. In 2022, this segment is scheduled to add 7.6 GW with 51% to be located in Texas.
Utility scale battery storage capacity is to grow by 5.1 GW or 84% in 2022, says the EIA, driven by declining costs, use with renewable generation and value added through regional transmission organization (RTO) markets.
Earlier in December 2021, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie said they count total solar installations in 2021 to exceed 20 GW DC, but for 2022 they feared a loss of 7.4 GW out of their forecasted capacity due to logistical challenges and price increases (see US Installed 5.4 GW DC New Solar In Q3/2021).
