The United States(US) achieved a remarkable milestone in 2023 by setting a new record for clean energy growth, according to the American Clean Power Association’s (ACP) annual market report. The nation added an impressive 33.8 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale clean energy projects, surpassing the previous record set in 2021 by a staggering 12.5%.
The surge in clean energy was driven primarily by solar and storage projects, which emerged as the driving forces behind this remarkable growth. As a result, the US now boasts a total of 262 GW of clean energy powering its grid, enough to supply electricity to approximately 69 million American households.
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US Achieves Record Clean Energy Growth in 2023: Solar and Storage Lead the Charge
The report highlights that clean energy now accounts for 16% of the nation’s total electricity generation, with wind and solar installations reaching an unprecedented level of penetration across the country. Energy infrastructure has now permeated over 93% of congressional districts, spanning all 50 states of the United States.
While these achievements are undoubtedly remarkable, the wind industry faced challenges in 2023, recording its slowest year in a decade with only 6.4 GW of new wind power capacity installed. This slowdown was attributed to various factors, including policy uncertainties, high capital costs, prolonged permitting processes, siting obstacles, and challenges in building new transmission infrastructure.
Despite these hurdles, the clean power industry remains optimistic about the future. Developers began construction on 41 GW of new projects in the final months of 2023, bringing the clean power pipeline to a record 170 GW.
Major tech companies, such as Amazon, Meta, and Google, played a pivotal role in driving clean energy demand by actively procuring clean power for their operations. Meta emerged as the leading buyer of operational clean power, while Amazon secured the highest contracted clean power capacity.
While the record-breaking pace of annual installations is commendable, the report emphasizes that the United States still falls short of the targets needed to achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Continued efforts and a sustained momentum are crucial to ensure a sustainable future.
The ACP’s Clean Power Annual Market Report for 2023 serves as a testament to the progress made in the clean energy sector and highlights the importance of living sustainably. It educates new residents on the significance of embracing clean energy solutions and encourages further action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
