2 new Entergy gas-fired power plants help drive 2020 growth in electricity generation

(Courtesy Entergy) The J. Wayne Leonard Power Station in St. Charles Parish

Two new Entergy natural gas-fired power plants in the U.S. are contributing to a 12% growth in electricity generation this year compared to the same period in 2019, according to statistics released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The EIA’s Hourly Electric Grid Monitor shows that year-to-date gas-fired power generated 301,100 GWh nationwide up through March 18. This is a double-digit increase even excluding the additional leap day this year, Power Engineering reports.

Entergy projects in St. Charles and Lake Charles both came online in the last 12 months.

The growth in gas-fired generation happened despite an overall 5 percent drop in total electricity generation in the U.S. That decline is likely a result of warmer than average winter weather and maybe the social distancing impact on commercial operations.

Power Engineering has the full story.