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

A milestone — with a catch

It has been reported that, in March, renewables — solar, wind, hydropower and bioenergy — supplied more electricity in the U.S. than natural gas for the first time, according to data from the think tank Ember. Along with nuclear, those clean sources now provided more than half of U.S. power that month. A milestone? Absolutely. A turning point? Maybe not yet.

Why now

Part of this is seasonal math and part is momentum. Mild spring weather cuts heating and cooling demand, so fossil plants sit on the bench while wind and sun keep scoring. It has been reported that fossil fuels produced less electricity last month than in any March in at least 25 years, reflecting both the rapid buildout of wind and solar and the lower demand window. The Energy Information Administration expects solar, wind and batteries to account for roughly 93 percent of new capacity added this year — a striking sign of where investment is headed.

Progress collides with reality

But the joy is tempered. Rising electricity demand — driven in part by data centers and an AI boom — is giving fossil fuels a lifeline. It has been reported that tech companies are installing natural gas generators at new data centers, and grid operators have delayed retirements of aging coal plants. Nine coal plants slated to close last year had operating lives extended, allegedly including five extended after emergency orders from the Department of Energy; only four coal plants retired generators, and total coal capacity retired was the lowest in 15 years. So yes, celebrate the clean-energy headline — but don’t pop the cork yet. The hard work is turning a one-month victory into a durable, resilient grid: more storage, smarter transmission, and policy that locks in the gains.

Sources: yale.edu, Hacker News