Skip to main content

Annual Electricity Generation in Nebraska by Fuel Type

Electricity generation increased 2.9 percent to 37,910,925 megawatthours in 2021 from 36,848,681 megawatthours in 2020. As shown in Figure 1, most of Nebraska's electricity was generated by coal plants, wind facilities, and nuclear power plants (50.99 percent, 25.30 percent, and 18.15 percent, respectively). Plants using natural gas generated 3.10 percent, hydroelectric power generated 2.96 percent, other biomass generated 0.24 percent, solar generated 0.16 percent, and petroleum generated 0.15 percent.

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source 2021 Chart

 

In 2021, electricity generation by petroleum increased by 292.83 percent, generation from solar increased 12.90 percent, generation by nuclear power increased 11.18 percent, generation by wind increased 5.23 percent, generation by other biomass increased 3.09 percent, and generation by coal increased 0.77 percent from 2020. Electricity generation by hydroelectric power decreased 19.20 percent and generation by natural gas decreased 2.92 percent from 2020.

In 2016, generation by petroleum decreased to -17,940, which meant the facilities used more electricity than they produced.

Nuclear electric power generation decreased 37 percent from 2010 to 2011 and 16.32 percent from 2011 to 2012, which was due to the shutdown of the Fort Calhourn Nuclear Plant for the 2010 maintenance period and then from the 2011 flood.

There was an increase in electricity generation from other biomass from electric generators, electric utilities, between 1992–1998, because the Sheldon plant, operated by Nebraska Public Power District, was producing electricity from tire chips. There was no generation reported from this renewable energy source after 1998. The process was discontinued, because it was not considered cost–effective.

Also see the Units and Capacity report, the Units and Capacity by Energy Source report, and the Units and Capacity by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation report for additional information.

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
2020 – 2021
Table 1

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumSolar Thermal and PhotovoltaicWindWood and Wood–Derived FuelsTotal
2021
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power2,60715,31717,924
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power330,5110000330,511
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities18,603,1061,123,1561,170,7586,880,62277,15755,1307,81890,20928,007,956
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers–2852,7059,501,8309,554,507
Total Electric Power Industry18,933,6171,123,1561,173,3656,880,622–2892,47355,13060,5239,592,039037,910,898
2020
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power4,06011,96417,520
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power239,2000000239,200
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities18,549,4471,390,0891,204,6496,188,55177,73714,0347,980324,10527,756,592
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers45,6288,791,2378,836,865
Total Electric Power Industry18,788,6471,390,0891,208,7096,188,551089,70114,03453,6089,115,342036,848,681

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
2016 – 2019
Table 2

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumSolar Thermal and PhotovoltaicWindWood and Wood–Derived FuelsTotal
2019
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power4,18813,33217,520
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power347,5630000347,563
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,037,8601,340,2521,272,6686,951,60071,18616,1684,628324,13030,018,492
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers27,0786,886,9626,914,040
Total Electric Power Industry20,385,4231,340,2521,276,8566,951,600084,51816,16831,7067,211,092037,297,615
2018
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power3,29014,93918,229
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power373,8420000373,842
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities22,931,3661,382,073961,5005,632,14078,37412,4740168,83931,166,766
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers27,1125,380,2675,407,379
Total Electric Power Industry23,305,2081,382,073964,7905,632,140093,31312,47427,1125,549,106036,966,216
2017
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power1,35717,38418,741
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power360,4101000360,411
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,813,1531,489,058627,9866,912,73779,9035,641166,03030,094,508
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers15,3334,918,0544,933,387
Total Electric Power Industry21,173,5631,489,058629,3456,912,737097,2875,64115,3335,084,084035,407,047
2016
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power1,360017,87019,230
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power346,843582000347,425
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities21,550,872856,408535,9689,350,59179,948-17,940191,89432,547,740
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers3,9813,606,4933,610,474
Total Electric Power Industry21,897,715856,408537,9109,350,591097,817-17,9403,9813,798,387036,524,869

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
2013 – 2015
Table 3

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumWindWood and Wood–Derived FuelsTotal
2015
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power70416,21916,923
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power380,954470000381,424
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities23,804,4671,684,980429,55610,324,72854,7346,115217,66136,522,242
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers2,962,8022,962,802
Total Electric Power Industry24,185,4211,684,980430,73110,324,728070,9536,1153,180,463039,883,391
2014
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power33617,10517,441
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power341,938345000342,283
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities24,580,2371,157,781405,03110,101,83847,08042,660226,33236,560,960
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers2,510,6072,510,607
Total Electric Power Industry24,922,1751,157,781405,71210,101,838064,18542,6602,736,939039,431,291
2013
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power11618,15518,271
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power332,94929000332,978
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities26,434,1531,123,915436,5006,865,36749,12442,561218,54835,170,167
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers1,583,2121,583,212
Total Electric Power Industry26,767,1011,123,915436,6456,865,36767,27942,5611,801,760037,104,628

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
2009 – 2012
Table 4

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumWindTotal
2012
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power69217,04917,741
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power333,58811,011344,599
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities24,685,6281,257,054758,3975,801,57846,08322,583211,56232,782,885
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers1,072,0671,072,067
Total Electric Power Industry25,019,2161,257,054770,1005,801,57863,13222,5831,283,63034,217,293
2011
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power3,24213,87317,115
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power257,45020,908278,358
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities25,707,7931,617,228401,7456,933,17451,54737,207228,86534,977,559
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers822,020822,020
Total Electric Power Industry25,965,2431,617,228425,8956,933,17465,42037,2071,050,88536,095,052
2010
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power19512,34712,542
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1555,6655,820
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power148,15912,289160,448
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities23,214,6161,313,856362,39611,054,33753,49730,849213,37036,242,921
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers208,275208,275
Total Electric Power Industry23,362,7761,313,856375,03511,054,33771,50830,849421,64536,630,006
2009
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power29114,12314,414
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power974,6234,720
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power42,03442,034
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities23,307,746433,690311,1949,435,14247,44922,869217,97233,776,062
Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers164,662164,662
Total Electric Power Industry23,349,780433,690311,5819,435,14266,19522,869382,63434,001,892

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
2005 – 2008
Table 5

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumWindTotal
2008
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power6312,86112,924
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1,3653,5084,873
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power4949
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities21,479,723346,456757,0609,479,03944,559034,655214,18432,355,676
Total Electric Power Industry21,479,773346,456758,4879,479,03960,929034,655214,18432,373,522
2007
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power4,37412,23821516,827
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1,6842,8374,521
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power18,06218,062
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities19,611,849347,4441,103,96211,041,53246,184035,552216,76532,403,289
Total Electric Power Industry19,629,911347,4441,110,02011,041,53261,259035,767216,76532,442,699
2006
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power4,86911,47240316,744
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1,3483,1374,485
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power49,69349,693
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,632,855893,386752,5849,002,65637,404018,914261,24731,599,046
Total Electric Power Industry20,682,548893,386758,8019,002,65652,014019,317261,24731,669,969
2005
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power7,60810,63198019,219
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power8427,4498,291
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power45,58145,581
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,772,590871,473794,5338,801,84124,566630,02696,60831,391,643
Total Electric Power Industry20,818,171871,473802,9838,801,84142,646631,00596,60831,464,734

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
2000 – 2004
Table 6

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumWindTotal
2004
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power8,81312,77486422,451
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power156
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power42,125042,125
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,414,960913,021288,57610,241,254026,73914221,00438,43131,944,127
Total Electric Power Industry20,457,085913,021297,39010,241,254039,51814221,86838,43132,008,709
2003
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power9,13110,44688120,458
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power2,53818,90621,444
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power46,203046,203
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,907,970980,110369,4097,996,902027,09020647,97138,22130,367,879
Total Electric Power Industry20,954,173980,110381,0787,996,902056,44220648,85238,22130,455,984
2002
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power7,9876,5382,13916,663
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1,0456,4557,500
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power44,104044,104
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities19,899,8031,097,486404,10610,122,242010118,4108,07831,550,226
Total Electric Power Industry19,943,9071,097,486413,13810,122,242012,99310120,5498,07831,618,493
2001
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power5,5928,3743,03617,002
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power8,2898,289
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power45,1643,09048,254
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities20,193,5421,124,122340,0508,726,1135825,1542,63030,411,669
Total Electric Power Industry20,238,7061,124,122348,7328,726,1135816,66328,1902,63030,485,214
2000
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power7,7979,90894418,649
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power8636,6067,470
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power33,1344,87238,006
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities18,424,7991,500,724437,8228,628,679053,715029,045,739
Total Electric Power Industry18,457,9331,500,724451,3558,628,67916,51454,659029,109,864

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
1995 – 1999
Table 7

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumWindTotal
1999
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power8,2629,21181618,289
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1,7426,9918,733
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power43,0404,72247,762
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities17,794,1361,719,030347,90210,091,092028,807029,980,967
Total Electric Power Industry17,837,1761,719,030362,62810,091,09216,20229,623030,055,751
1998
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power8,97910,87871520,573
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power2,3926,0088,400
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power44,5063,10447,610
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities18,335,9651,682,834400,0088,258,80370741,892028,720,209
Total Electric Power Industry18,380,4711,682,834414,4838,258,80317,59342,607028,796,791
1997
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power6059,3829,986
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power1,4076,9888,395
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power39,5573,29842,855
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities17,209,0801,672,419205,9919,268,85762431,05928,388,030
Total Electric Power Industry17,248,6371,672,419211,3009,268,85716,99431,05928,449,266
1996
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power26,2272,18528,412
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities16,040,7751,601,919191,6829,456,81411,53419,97327,322,697
Total Electric Power Industry16,067,0021,601,919193,8679,456,81411,53419,97327,351,109
1995
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power24,90012325,023
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities16,079,5191,426,058245,3057,485,44816,26826,67925,279,277
Total Electric Power Industry16,104,4191,426,058245,4287,485,44816,26826,67925,304,300

Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
1990 – 1994
Table 8

(Megawatthours)

Year / Energy Source / ProducerCoal

Conventional

Hydroelectric

Natural GasNuclearOtherOther BiomassOther GasesPetroleumWindTotal
1994
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power37,45215437,606
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities14,002,0151,311,883258,7646,345,3309,33218,20121,945,525
Total Electric Power Industry14,039,4671,311,883258,9186,345,3309,33218,20121,983,131
1993
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power36,42814336,570
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities14,739,7831,001,663152,9226,805,1335,75019,03522,724,286
Total Electric Power Industry14,776,2111,001,663153,0656,805,1335,75019,03522,760,856
1992
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power38,02722438,251
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities12,402,1481,075,446145,2688,748,4686,4359,48222,387,247
Total Electric Power Industry12,440,1751,075,446145,4928,748,4686,4359,48222,425,498
1991
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power28,41328,413
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities13,562,8151,044,671303,3278,047,66213,45922,971,934
Total Electric Power Industry13,591,2281,044,671303,3278,047,66213,45923,000,347
1990
Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power
Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power
Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power2,6862242,910
Electric Generators, Electric Utilities12,658,4641,140,093307,8417,511,29812,98121,630,677
Total Electric Power Industry12,661,1501,140,093308,0657,511,29812,98121,633,587

Sources: Electric Power Annual. Energy Information Administration, Washington, DC. Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Lincoln, NE.

Notes: Totals may not equal the sum of the components due to independent rounding, and totals from one table to the next may not be equivalent.

Coal includes anthracite, bituminous coal, subbituminous coal, lignite, waste coal, and synthetic coal.

Other includes non–biogenic municipal solid waste, batteries, chemicals, hydrogen, pitch, purchased steam, sulfur, tire–derived fuels, and miscellaneous technologies.

Other Biomass includes biogenic municipal solid waste, landfill gas, sludge waste, agricultural byproducts, other biomass solids, other biomass liquids, and other biomass gases (including digester gases and methane).

Other Gases include blast furnace gas, propane gas, and other manufactured and waste gases derived from fossil fuels.

Petroleum includes distillate fuel oil (all diesel and No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 fuel oils), residual fuel oil (No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils and bunker C fuel oil), jet fuel, kerosene, petroleum coke, and waste oil.

Wood and Wood–Derived Fuels include paper pellets, railroad ties, utility poles, wood chips, bark, red liquor, sludge wood, spent sulfite liquor, and black liquor, with other wood waste solids and wood–based liquids.