For the First Time in the U.S., Renewables Generate More Power Than Natural Gas

For the first time, renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy) collectively generated more electricity in the U.S. than natural gas in March, according to Ember data. Combined with nuclear, they supplied over half of U.S. power. The milestone reflects both rapid wind and solar buildout and seasonal demand drops. However, rising electricity demand — driven partly by tech company data centers and AI — is extending the lives of aging coal plants, with nine coal plants receiving operating life extensions and coal retirements hitting a 15-year low.