Will Rising Electricity Generation and Natural Gas Prices Help Coal?
(Continued from Prior Part)
Energy generation by region
As we saw in the previous part of this series, electricity generation in the United States increased 2.8% to 93.1 million mWh (megawatt hours) during the week ended July 31. All nine census divisions recorded an increase in generation during the week.
The increase was a result of warmer weather across the United States. Warmer weather results in increased use of air conditioning, which leads to higher electricity demand and generation.
Eastern US
The Southeast, New England, and Mid-Atlantic regions all recorded an increase in electricity generation during the week ending July 31.
The Mid-Atlantic division, where utilities (XLU) like Consolidated Edison (ED) and Public Service Enterprises Group (PEG) operate, saw an increase of 432 thousand mWh, or 4.3%, in electricity generation to 10.5 million mWh.
The New England division, one of the smallest in the US, reported an increase of 142 thousand mWh, or 5.0%, in electricity generation to 3.0 million mWh.
The Southeast division, the largest in the US by electricity production, saw a marginal 0.3% increase in electricity production. Some of the largest utilities like NextEra Energy (NEE) and Southern Company (SO) operate there.
Central US
The Central Industrial division saw an increase of 739 thousand mWh, or 5.2%, in electricity production to 15.1 million mWh. The West Central and South Central divisions clocked a 2.1% and 3.1% increase in electricity generation, respectively.
Western US
Electricity generation in the Rocky Mountain division came in at 6.3 million mWh, a 7.8% increase. The Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest reported a 3.6% and 3.0% increase, respectively.
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