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Generating Units and Capacity in Nebraska by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation

This report shows the new generation that became commercially operable from 1915 to 1940 and then during each decade since then. Details about the generation includes energy source, number of units/wind turbines, the nameplate capacity, the summer capacity, and the winter capacity.

From 1915 to 1970, an increasing number of new units were brought on line each ten–year period.

A record of 73 units started up in the period of 1951–1960. With half as many new units (37) than 1951–1960, the 1971–1980 period had the biggest increase in capacity (3,379.7 megawatts). Nuclear power accounted for almost half of the capacity added that period. Also, all nuclear power was started up in that period.

Also see the Units and Capacity by Energy Source report and the Generating Units report for additional information.

 

A Note About Nameplate Capacity

Summer capacity and winter capacity is 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.

Generating Capacity by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation Nebraska 1915-2021 Graph

Number of Units and Generating Capacity by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation Nebraska, 1915 – 2021

Detail Period: 2021

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
2021
 Biomass0NA0.000.000.00
Battery Storage2NA1.401.401.40
Coal0NA0.000.000.00
Landfill Gas0NA0.000.000.00
Natural Gas0NA0.000.000.00
Petroleum0NA0.000.000.00
Solar4NA4.404.404.40
Wind117117385.70385.70385.70
Total121117391.50391.50391.50

 

Detail Period: 2011 – 2020

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
2011–2020
 Biomass0NA0.000.000.00
Battery Storage1NA1.501.501.50
Coal1NA248.00232.00232.00
Landfill Gas3NA4.804.804.80
Natural Gas1NA9.309.309.30
Petroleum2NA4.004.004.00
Solar9NA28.8027.7025.70
Wind1,1111,1112,374.002,368.102,368.10
Total1,1281,1112,670.402,647.402,615.40

 

Detail Period: 1991 – 2000

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1991–2000
 Natural Gas5NA109.896.1107.3
Petroleum17NA255.5231.1255.6
Wind443.03.03.0
Total264368.3330.2365.9


 

Detail Period: 1981 – 1990

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1981–1990
 Biomass5NA3.53.50.0
Coal3NA867.4877.0877.0
Hydroelectric1NA50.038.038.0
Natural Gas3NA14.013.514.1
Petroleum4NA3.63.23.2
Total16NA938.5935.2932.3

 

Detail Period: 1971 – 1980

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1971–1980
 Coal3NA1,388.71,368.81,369.6
Natural Gas21NA291.7282.8297.2
Petroleum11NA361.7320.0366.9
Uranium2NA1,337.61,245.01,261.0
Total37NA3,379.73,216.63,294.7

 

Detail Period: 1961 – 1970

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1961–1970
 Coal5NA604.3607.2533.2
Natural Gas34NA127.0120.3122.2
Petroleum11NA19.117.917.9
Total50NA750.4745.4673.3

 

Detail Period: 1951 – 1960

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1951–1960
 Coal4NA307.6315.6261.2
Hydroelectric2NA1.71.11.1
Natural Gas32NA184.7184.7185.8
Petroleum35NA32.127.427.8
Total73NA526.1528.8475.9

 

Detail Period: 1941 – 1950

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1941–1950
 Hydroelectric5NA55.054.054.0
Natural Gas10NA14.312.312.9
Petroleum22NA9.68.48.4
Total37NA78.974.775.3

 

Detail Period: 1915 – 1940

Period Inclusive of
Year of
Initial Operation
Primary
Energy Source
Number
of Units
Number of
Wind Turbines
Generator
Nameplate
Capacity
[Megawatts (MW)]
Net Summer
Capacity
(MW)
Net Winter
Capacity
(MW)
1915–1940
 Hydroelectric11NA76.273.372.6
Natural Gas3NA3.43.33.3
Petroleum15NA5.85.45.5
Total29NA85.482.081.4

 

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

Note: NA indicates not applicable.