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Visualizing U.S. Electricity Generation Jobs by Technology

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The following content is sponsored by the National Public Utilities Council

Visualizing U.S. Electricity Generation Jobs by Technology

In 2021, 857,579 people were employed in the U.S. electricity generation sector.

To explore the distribution of this workforce, the above graphic by the National Public Utilities Council breaks down the number of jobs for each electricity generation technology using the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy and Employment Report.

An Evolving Employment Landscape

The employment landscape within the U.S. electricity generation sector is continually evolving, driven by technological shifts, growing urgency towards decarbonization, and new policy initiatives.

Here are some interesting trends seen in 2021.

1. Solar Leads the Way with Significant Job Growth

The solar energy sector emerged as a shining star in 2021, witnessing substantial job growth compared to other electricity generation technologies. With a total of 333,887 jobs, solar not only topped the chart but also experienced a notable increase of over 17,000 jobs from the previous year.

This surge in solar jobs can be attributed to several factors, including advancements in technology, falling costs, and increased adoption of renewable energy sources across the country.

2. Advanced Natural Gas Employs More People Than Traditional

While renewable energy sources gained traction, advanced natural gas also played a significant role in the U.S. electricity generation sector with 69,113 jobs.

Advanced natural gas refers to the application of technologies that optimize efficiency and reduce the emissions associated with traditional natural gas.

As the fourth biggest employer on the list, advanced natural gas employed more people than traditional natural gas in 2021.

3. Renewable Energy Sector Outpaces Broader Sector Growth

Between 2020 and 2021, the renewable electricity generation sector experienced a robust growth rate of 4.4% in employment, outpacing the broader power generation sector’s growth rate of 2.9%.

The employment figures highlight the potential for continued job creation within the renewable sector as the transition to cleaner energy sources gains further momentum.

Getting Over the Workforce Development Hurdle

The employment figures in the U.S. electricity generation sector demonstrate promising growth in clean energy jobs. With that said, rapid decarbonization of the sector may still require a level of workforce development that hasn’t yet been seen in the United States.

As electric utilities and the nation at large strive to achieve their ambitious net-zero goals, investing more in workforce development can be an integral piece of the puzzle, specifically to help individuals transition smoothly from fossil fuel jobs to those in clean generation.

By addressing this challenge, the U.S. can ensure a well-prepared workforce that will drive the transition to a sustainable and net-zero future.

Click here to learn more about how electric utilities and the power sector can lead on the path toward decarbonization.

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Visualized: Offshore Wind Installations by Region (2023–2033)

This streamgraph shows projected offshore wind capacity by region according to The Global Wind Energy Council.

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The preview image for a streamgraph showing projected offshore wind capacity by region according to The Global Wind Energy Council.

Visualized: Offshore Wind Installations by Region (2023–2033)

In order to meet the 1.5°C trajectory outlined in the Paris Agreement, the world will need 380 GW of offshore cumulative wind capacity by 2030, expanding to 2,000 GW by 2050. But can it be achieved?

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) projects the upcoming offshore wind installations for each region in their Global Offshore Wind Report 2024.

This streamgraph, created in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, shows the offshore wind installations of each region from 2023–2033, as projected by GWEC.

The Future Projections

The GWEC says that annual offshore wind installations will move from 10.9 GW in 2023 to 66.0 GW by 2033. The growth will elevate offshore wind’s share of new wind power installations from today’s 9% to at least 25%.

In 2033, Europe and China are expected to lead, with 43% and 30% of global installations, respectively. The U.S., despite its ambitious goals, will contribute just 8% of new capacity in the same year.

Here is a regional breakdown of projected future offshore wind installations in GW.

YearEuropeChinaAsia PacificNorth AmericaOther
20233.86.30.8--
20243.7121.10.9-
20255.6151.71-
20268.8152.92.6-
20279.4153.12.6-
202810155.42.4-
202917.2165.82.6-
203022.7167.13.10.4
203127.9188.54.51
203228.21895.51
203328.22010.561.5

Asia Pacific excludes China, Installation estimates in GW

California leads the U.S. efforts, targeting 25.0 GW in cumulative installations by 2045, followed by New Jersey at 11.0 GW. Despite its smaller population, Maryland aims to nearly match New York’s 9.0 GW with a target of 8.5 GW.

The U.S. has already taken strides, bringing online its first utility-scale project, Vineyard Wind 1, which added 0.8 GW to the grid.

With over 25 GW in various stages of development, the Biden administration’s goal is 30 GW by 2030, and has aspirations for 110 GW by 2050. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed under the same administration, previously allocated $392.5 billion in clean energy and climate spending.

The Economic Benefits of Offshore Wind

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) projects that the high scenario of an installation rate of 3 GW per year, with 60% domestic content, could generate $25.0 billion annually and support over 83,000 jobs by 2030.

Recent area lease auctions, such as those in the New York Bight and Carolina Long Bay, have fetched record-breaking bids totalling over $4.3 billion.

Decarbonization requires sustained effort, but with strategic investments and a commitment to innovation, offshore wind could be the wind beneath the wings of a sustainable energy future.

Learn how the National Public Utilities Council is working toward the future of sustainable electricity.

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Energy

Ranked: The Largest Power Outages in the U.S. (2013–2023)

Severe weather caused all ten of the largest U.S. power outages in the past decade, highlighting the importance of grid resiliency.

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the preview image for a polar bar chart that ranks the top ten power outages in the U.S. between 2013 and 2023, ordered by the number of customers affected.

Ranked: The Largest Power Outages in the U.S. (2013–2023)

Power outages—whether due to operational failures, extreme weather, vandalism, or fuel shortages—can have far-reaching impacts on both customers and utility companies.

Created in partnership with The National Public Utilities Council, this graphic shows the 10 largest power outages in the U.S. from the last decade, using data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 

A Decade Of Power Disruptions In Review

The U.S. DOE defines a power outage as an event in which electric service is lost to more than 50,000 customers for one hour or more. 

Between 2013 and 2023, all 10 of the largest U.S. outages—ranked by the number of customers affected—have been due to severe weather events. Hurricanes and winter storms, specifically, have caused eight of the 10 outages. 

YearNumber of Customers AffectedEventArea Affected
20173,500,000Hurricane IrmaFlorida
20212,000,000Winter stormTexas
20181,458,000Hurricane FlorenceNorth & South Carolina
20161,200,000Hurricane MatthewFlorida
20201,188,000Tropical Storm IsaiasNew England
20171,077,000Hurricane HarveyTexas
2019972,000WildfiresCalifornia
2013881,000Winter stormTexas
2023730,000Winter stormNew England
2014715,000Winter stormPennsylvania

Hurricane Irma tops this list by leaving 3.5 million Floridians without power in 2017. Irma was a Category 5 hurricane that impacted the Southeastern state and several island nations, leading to more than $50 billion in damages in Florida alone.

While Florida experienced the largest outage between 2013 and 2023, Texas has the most events in the top 10 list. These were caused by a winter storm in 2021, Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and another winter storm in 2013. 

Investing in a Resilient Grid

The causes of the U.S.’s largest outage events highlight the vulnerability of its transmission infrastructure to extreme weather. 

As of 2023, 70% of U.S. transmission lines were over 25 years old. This makes them more susceptible to power outages, cyber-attacks, and sparking wildfires. 

It is also relevant to note that extreme weather events are increasing in both frequency and intensity due to climate change. Addressing infrastructure vulnerability, therefore, may be a critical aspect of maintaining reliable power in the decades to come. 

Learn how the National Public Utilities Council is working toward the future of sustainable electricity.

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