U.S. natural gas storage capacity increased in 2024
Underground working natural gas storage capacity in the Lower 48 states increased in 2024 according to our latest data. We calculate natural gas storage capacity in two ways: demonstrated peak capacity and working gas design capacity. Both increased in 2024. Underground natural gas storage provides a source of energy when demand increases, balancing U.S. energy needs. In 2024, demonstrated peak capacity rose 1.7%, or 70 billion cubic feet (Bcf), to 4,277 Bcf, while working gas design capacity increased slightly by 0.1%, or 3 Bcf.
Electric generators plan more natural gas-fired capacity after few additions in 2024
Developers plan to add 18.7 gigawatts (GW) of combined-cycle capacity to the grid by 2028, with 4.3 GW already under construction, according to our latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. Although electricity generators fueled by natural gas have provided more electricity in the United States than any other source since 2016, hardly any new natural gas capacity came online last year.
Underground Natural Gas Working Storage Capacity
(Wed, 07 May 2025) This annual report calculates underground natural gas storage capacity as of November 2024 and explains how changes in storage capacity relate to market circumstances. Natural gas storage capacity increased in 2024 compared with 2023 by about 1.7%, according to the demonstrated peak capacity metric used to assess working natural gas storage capacity. Design capacity increased slightly, by 0.1%, since 2023.
U.S. sustainable aviation fuel production takes off as new capacity comes online
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is growing in the United States as new capacity comes online. U.S. production of Other Biofuels, the category we use to capture SAF in our Petroleum Supply Monthly, approximately doubled from December 2024 to February 2025.
China’s solar capacity installations grew rapidly in 2024
Utility-scale solar power capacity in China reached more than 880 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to China's National Energy Administration. China has more utility-scale solar than any other country. The 277 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in China in 2024 alone is more than twice as much as the 121 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in the United States at the end of 2024.
China’s solar capacity installations grew rapidly in 2024
Utility-scale solar power capacity in China reached more than 880 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to China’s National Energy Administration. China has more utility-scale solar than any other country. The 277 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in China in 2024 alone is more than twice as much as the 121 GW of utility-scale solar capacity installed in the United States at the end of 2024.
Natural gas pipeline project completions increase takeaway capacity in producing regions
Natural gas pipeline projects completed in 2024 increased takeaway capacity by approximately 6.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in the U.S. natural gas–producing Appalachia, Haynesville, Permian, and Eagle Ford regions, according to our latest Natural Gas Pipeline Projects tracker. These pipelines deliver natural gas from the producing regions to demand centers in the mid–Atlantic and along the U.S. Gulf Coast:
U.S. battery capacity increased 66% in 2024
In the United States, cumulative utility–scale battery storage capacity exceeded 26 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to our January 2025 Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. Generators added 10.4 GW of new battery storage capacity in 2024, the second–largest generating capacity addition after solar. Even though battery storage capacity is growing fast, in 2024 it was only 2% of the 1,230 GW of utility–scale electricity generating capacity in the United States.
Planned retirements of U.S. coal-fired electric-generating capacity to increase in 2025
Electricity generators plan to retire 12.3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in 2025, a 65% increase in retirements compared with 2024. Last year, 7.5 GW was retired from the U.S. power grid, the least generation retired since 2011, according to data reported to us in our latest inventory of electric generators. Coal generating capacity accounts for the largest share of planned capacity retirements (66%), followed by natural gas (21%).
Solar, battery storage to lead new U.S. generating capacity additions in 2025
We expect 63 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale electric-generating capacity to be added to the U.S. power grid in 2025 in our latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory report. This amount represents an almost 30% increase from 2024 when 48.6 GW of capacity was installed, the largest capacity installation in a single year since 2002. Together, solar and battery storage account for 81% of the expected total capacity additions, with solar making up over 50% of the increase.