Generating Capacity in Nebraska by Energy Source
As of 2021, Nebraska had 1,601 generating units with a total of 10,780,900 kilowatts (or 10,780.9 megawatts) capacity.
Nameplate capacity came from generators using coal (36.94 percent), wind (27.47 percent), natural gas (20.23 percent), nuclear energy (7.43 percent), petroleum (4.38 percent), and hydroelectric power (3.06 percent), solar (0.31 percent), landfill gas (0.10 percent), biomass (0.04 percent), and battery storage (0.03 percent).
Net metered renewable installations are not included in the graphs and table since individual projects are not reported; hence, no energy sources are reported.
The Units and Capacity by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation report, the Generating Units report, and the Annual Electricity Generation report are available for additional information.
A Note About Nameplate Capacity
Summer capacity and winter capacity are sometimes greater than nameplate capacity. The nameplate gives the capacity rating of the generator when it operates at certain temperatures, pressures, and power factors. With some modifications and with some margins that are built into generators, it is possible to exceed its nameplate. It is not uncommon for a generator to exceed its nameplate. The nameplate is usually not replaced and, in this case, the summer and winter capacity is often much higher than the nameplate value. Normally, you expect summer and winter capacity to be below nameplate capacity and in most cases they are.
Number of Units and
Generating Capacity by Energy Source
Nebraska
(2021)
| Primary Energy Source | Number of Units or Turbines | Generator Nameplate Capacity [Kilowatts (kW)] | Net Summer Capacity (kW) | Net Winter Capacity (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Storage | 3 | 2,900 | 2,900 | 2,900 |
| Biomass | 6 | 4,500 | 4,500 | 4,500 |
| Coal | 17 | 3,982,900 | 3,867,000 | 3,807,400 |
| Hydroelectric | 20 | 329,900 | 279,700 | 279,700 |
| Landfill Gas | 11 | 11,200 | 11,000 | 11,000 |
| Natural Gas | 86 | 2,181,500 | 1,923,500 | 1,699,700 |
| Nuclear | 1 | 801,000 | 770,000 | 770,000 |
| Petroleum | 111 | 472,500 | 409,300 | 412,300 |
| Solar | 13 | 33,200 | 32,100 | 30,100 |
| Wind (Utility–Scale) | 1,333 | 2,961,300 | 2,955,600 | 2,955,600 |
| Total | 1,601 | 10,780,900 | 10,255,600 | 9,973,200 |
Sources: Energy Information Administration, Washington, DC. Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Lincoln, NE.
Note: NA indicates not applicable.