EIA Reports

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 1998

Hydroelectric Power Sets All-Time Record for Generation of Electricity

Conventional hydroelectric facilities operated by U.S. electric utilities generated 341 billion kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity in 1997 -- an all-time high, surpassing the prior record of 332 billion kWh reported in 1983. Production rose by 10 billion kWh from 1996 to set the new record.

Greater amounts of snowfall and rain combined with relatively unchanged plant capability in the Pacific Northwest contributed to the increases above 1996 levels according to information released today by the Energy Information Administration in the Electric Power Annual 1997 Volume I. An increase of 6 billion kWh of hydroelectric generation occurred in the State of Washington alone and increases of more than one billion kWh occurred in Idaho and Oregon. At the same time, coal consumption by electric utilities in those States declined in 1997 by one million tons and natural gas consumption by 7 billion cubic feet.

In contrast, nuclear-powered generation fell 7 percent, or 46 billion kWh, from 1996. Most of the decline was a result of units that were out of service or retired in New England, the Middle Atlantic, and the East North Central Census Divisions. Nuclear-powered generation in Illinois declined by almost 19 billion kWh. Connecticut and Maine reported no generation from nuclear power plants in 1997, while in 1996 nuclear power plants generated 39 and 65 percent of total generation, respectively, in those States. The loss of nuclear generation contributed to the increase in petroleum consumption (more than 14 million barrels) at electric utilities in the New England Census Division and the increase in coal (almost 8 million tons) and natural gas consumption (108 billion cubic feet) at utilities in the Middle Atlantic and East North Central Census Divisions.

Other highlights of the report are:

• Demand for electricity (retail sales to ultimate consumers) rose by less than 1 percent from 1996. In response to the increased demand, total net generation at U.S. electric utilities in 1997 increased to 3,123 billion kWh of electricity.
• Coal continued to make the largest contribution to electricity generation -- providing 57 percent of total utility generation (see figure).
• The average revenue per kilowatthour for electricity remained essentially unchanged from 1996. Idaho continues to be the lowest price State with an average revenue of 3.9 cents per kilowatthour.
• The cost of coal and petroleum delivered to U.S. electric utilities declined by 1 and 8 percent respectively from 1996. The cost of natural gas delivered to utilities increased by more than 4 percent.

U.S. Electric Utility Generation by Energy Source, 1997

This report is available electronically on EIA's Internet Web Site (http://www.eia.doe.gov). The direct address is http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epav1/epav1_sum.html. Copies of the printed report will be available after July 22, 1998, from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 202/512-1800, or through EIA's National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800.

EIA Program Contact: Dean Fennell, 202/426-1157
EIA Press Contact: National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800

EIA-98-15

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