In a first, renewables generated more electricity than coal on every day in April in the US, new data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals.

Beginning on 25 March, when solar, wind and hydropower collectively produced more than coal-fired generation, there have been 40 straight days of majority green energy, according to preliminary figures. These figures are even more remarkable when compared to 2019’s total of 38 days when renewables beat coal. Last April had a total of 19 days when this happened—the most of any month in 2019—with the longest continuous stretch lasting just nine days.

The EIA believes that the transition away from coal has accelerated in 2020 due to a number of factors, including low gas prices, warmer weather, a significant amount of new renewable capacity connecting to the grid and lower power demand from the economic slowdown because of the coronavirus. Added to this, coal’s high cost has made it increasingly one of the last fuel choices for many utilities, a trend reflected by its declining market share for electric generation: just 15.3 per cent in April, according to preliminary EIA figures.

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