Renewable Energy Use In US Hits Low


CSA Z462 Arc Flash Training – Electrical Safety Compliance Course

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
US consumption of energy from renewable sources, like the sun, wind and biological fuels, fell 12 percent in 2001, the lowest level in over 12 years, The New York Times reported.

Citing latest figures released by US Department of Energy, the newspaper said in a report that in 2001, renewable energy accounted for only 6 percent of the overall energy consumption in the country.

The department attributed much of the decline to a drought that caused a 23-percent cut in generation of hydroelectric power, which converts energy contained in falling water into electricity.

For the first time since 1992, biomass, including burning of wood or similar renewable products to produce energy, overtook hydroelectric power as the most important source of renewable energy in the United States, accounting for 50.4 percent of the total with hydroelectric down to 41.9 percent.

The number of solar collectors, which gather the sun's heat for uses, surged 34 percent in 2001 and the use of photovoltaic cells, which generate electricity with sunlight, is also growing in the country with domestic installations up 80 percent last year.

Even though shipments of new equipment has increased sharply in the last few years, solar equipment was being retired faster than new equipment was being built and the base of installed equipment is shrinking, Fred Mayes, who handles data on renewable energy at the Energy Department's energy information agency, was quoted as saying.

According to the department's estimate, the total amount of solar energy gathered in the United States has fallen three years in a row.

Related News

Ontario Launches Peak Perks Program

Ontario Peak Perks Program boosts energy efficiency with smart thermostats, demand response, and incentives, reducing…
View more

Shell’s strategic move into electricity

Shell's Industrial Electricity Supply Strategy targets UK and US industrial customers, leveraging gas-to-power, renewables, long-term…
View more

LNG powered with electricity could be boon for B.C.'s independent power producers

B.C. LNG Electrification embeds clean hydro and wind power into low-emission liquefied natural gas, cutting…
View more

3 ways 2021 changed electricity - What's Next

U.S. Power Sector Outlook 2022 previews clean energy targets, grid reliability and resilience upgrades, transmission…
View more

Electricity retailer Griddy's unusual plea to Texas customers: Leave now before you get a big bill

Texas wholesale electricity price spike disrupts ERCOT markets as Griddy and other retail energy providers…
View more

Scottish North Sea wind farm to resume construction after Covid-19 stoppage

NnG Offshore Wind Farm restarts construction off Scotland, backed by EDF Renewables and ESB, CfD…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified