As we enter the dawn of a new year, the renewable energy landscape is ablaze with promise and potential. The closing reports of 2023 from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) heralded the rise of solar power, marking it as the fastest-growing source of electricity and the most significant contributor to new generating capacity in the United States. At Sendero Energy Services, we are not just observers but active participants in this transformative journey, kicking off several new solar civil construction projects that will shape the renewable future of the Southwest.
FERC’s Energy Infrastructure Update Unveils Solar's Soaring Trajectory
In its latest monthly report, FERC outlined a remarkable surge in solar capacity, accounting for 42.1% of the new domestic generating capacity in 2023. The numbers are staggering, with solar outpacing natural gas, nuclear, oil, and waste heat combined. The report paints a vivid picture of the renewable energy landscape's growth, with wind and other renewables contributing significantly. FERC's forecast for the next three years predicts a high probability of solar additions totaling 87,733 MW – a testament to the sector's robust trajectory.
EIA’s Electric Power Monthly Confirms Solar's Dominance
The Electric Power Monthly by the EIA further validates the solar surge, highlighting a 14.7% growth in solar's electrical generation in the first ten months of 2023. Solar's share of total U.S. electrical generation reached 5.9%, surpassing hydropower and underscoring its growing significance. The report emphasizes the combined impact of solar and wind, accounting for 15.6% of the nation's electrical generation. As coal's share diminishes, renewables, particularly solar, are on track to surpass traditional sources.
EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook Forecasts a Radiant Future
The Short-Term Energy Outlook from EIA projects a bright future for solar, labeling it the fastest-growing source of U.S. electric power generation. With a forecast of 23 GW of new solar generating capacity in 2023 and a staggering 37 GW in 2024, solar is poised to overtake coal in combined solar and wind generation. This monumental shift signifies the ascendancy of renewable energy in the nation's power landscape.
Sendero Energy Services: Paving the Way for Renewable Construction Excellence
Sendero Energy Services stands at the forefront of this energy revolution, offering our expertise as a full-service renewable energy civil contractor. Specializing in earthwork, drainage, and utilities, we play a crucial role in shaping the infrastructure that supports the growth of solar and other renewable projects. As we embark on a new year, we are thrilled to announce the initiation of several groundbreaking civil construction projects in collaboration with Southwest's renewable energy developers and EPC firms.
Join Us in Shaping the Renewable Future
As the demand for renewable energy construction continues to surge, Sendero Energy Services welcomes partnerships with Southwest's renewable energy developers and EPC firms. If you share our passion for shaping a sustainable future and are involved in the renewable energy sector, we invite you to connect with us. Let's join forces to turn the promise of renewable energy into a powerful reality, one construction project at a time.
Contact Sendero Energy Services today and be a part of the transformative journey toward a greener, more sustainable future. Together, let's build a legacy of renewable excellence that lights up the Southwest and beyond.
Sources
FERC's 8-page "Energy Infrastructure Update for October 2023" was released on December 13, 2023, and can be found at: https://cms.ferc.gov/media/energy-infrastructure-update-october-2023. For the information cited in this update, see the tables entitled "New Generation In-Service (New Build and Expansion)," "Total Available Installed Generating Capacity," and "Generation Capacity Additions and Retirements."
FERC's 6-page "Energy Infrastructure Update for October 2022" can be found at: https://cms.ferc.gov/media/energy-infrastructure-update-october-2022
EIA's latest "Electric Power Monthly" report was released on December 21, 2023. For the data cited in this news release, see Table ES1.A "Total Electric Power Industry Summary Statistics 2023 and 2022" and Table ES1.B “Total Electric Power Industry Summary Statistics, Year-to-Date 2023 and 2022”at:
EIA’s latest “Short-Term Energy Outlook” report was released on December 12, 2023. For the data and analyses cited in this news release, see the “Forecast Overview” and the forecast for “Electricity, Coal, and Renewables” at:
EIA’s latest “Monthly Energy Review” report was released on December 21, 2023. For the data cited in this news release, see Table 1.1 “Primary Energy Overview,” Table 1.2 “Primary Energy Production by Source,” and Table 10.1 “Renewable Energy Production and Consumption by Source” at: