Coal to Lead New U.S. Power Development

Plant developers are evaluating more than 272,000 megawatts (MW) of new power generation unit additions in the United States, according to a report by Industrial Info Resources (www.industrialinfo.com). The majority of these projects, about 87%, are scheduled to begin construction by 2012.

Industrial Info says coal-fired units lead all fuel types for future generation unit development with more than 71,000 MW planned. Development of coal (71,000 MW), nuclear (46,000 MW), and wind (47,000 MW) projects, each outpace natural gas-fired unit development, which stands at about 45,000 MW, according to Industrial Info.

Industrial Info expects environmental requirements, fuel availability, fuel pricing changes, and new efficient technology to drive the next round of power generation unit project development.

For a detailed discussion of the trends affecting the Power Industry going into 2007, see Industrial Info’s 2007 Power Industry Forecast.

To view a chart showing the breakdown of future power generation unit development by fuel type, click here.