The United States added 20.2 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale electric generating capacity in the first half of 2024, according to the latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. This marks a significant 21% increase, or 3.6 GW, over the same period in 2023. Looking ahead, developers and power plant owners plan to bring an additional 42.6 GW online in the second half of the year. 

Continuing the trend from 2023, solar energy dominated new capacity additions in the first half of 2024, contributing 12 GW, which represents 59% of all new capacity. Texas and Florida were the leading states, accounting for 38% of these solar installations. Notably, the Gemini solar and storage facility in Nevada, with a capacity of 690 megawatts (MW), and the 653-MW Lumina Solar Project in Texas were the largest solar projects to become operation al during this period. 

Battery storage also saw significant growth, representing 21% (4.2 GW) of the new capacity. California led this expansion, followed by Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. The largest projects included the 380-MW battery component of the Gemini facility and the 300-MW Eleven Mile Solar Center in Arizona. 

Wind and Nuclear Additions 

Wind power contributed 12% (2.5 GW) to the new capacity, with the Canyon Wind (309 MW) and Goodnight (266 MW) projects in Texas leading the way. Nuclear energy also saw a boost with the completion of Unit 4 at Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power plant. This 1,114-MW reactor, which began commercial operations in April, makes Vogtle the largest nuclear facility in the U.S. and the only one with four reactors. 

In contrast to the growth in capacity, retirements of electric generating facilities slowed in 2024. The first half of the year saw 5.1 GW of capacity retired, down from 9.2 GW during the same period in 2023. Over half of the retired capacity was fueled by natural gas, with coal accounting for 41%. Significant retirements included Seminole Electric Cooperative’s Unit 1 in Florida and Homer City Generating Station’s Unit 1 in Pennsylvania, both 626 MW coal plants. The 1,413-MW Mystic Generating Station in Massachusetts, a natural gas facility, also ceased operations, marking a major retirement. 

Future Capacity Plans 

Looking ahead, developers plan to add 42.6 GW of new capacity in the second half of 2024. Solar continues to lead the charge, with nearly 60% (25 GW) of the planned capacity. If these additions proceed as expected, 2024 could set a record for solar capacity growth, totaling 37 GW—nearly double the 18.8 GW added in 2023. 

Battery storage could also see a record year, with plans to add 15 GW by the end of 2024. Texas and California are set to account for 81% of this new storage capacity. 

On the other hand, 2.4 GW of capacity is slated for retirement in the latter half of the year, including 0.7 GW of coal and 1.1 GW of natural gas. 

This rapid expansion of renewable energy and storage capacity highlights the ongoing shift in the U.S. energy landscape, with a strong focus on sustainability and reducing carbonemissions.