Renewable energy tops coal in US for record 40 days

Renewables have generated more electricity than coal for the last 40 days, shattering the previous record of just nine consecutive days.

Wind, solar and hydroelectricity have produced more electricity than coal since March 25, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration analyzed by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

Renewable energy first surpassed coal-fired generation in April of last year.

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Coal’s decline comes as a number of sectors set higher goals for renewable generation.

Several utilities have announced their intention to cease their reliance on coal and close coal-fired power plants in as little as 10 years.

Big-box retailers like Target have also made pledges to transition to renewable energy to power their stores, and many states are pushing the shift toward green energy, increasing renewable energy mandates for utilities within their borders.

The latest streak for renewables comes amid an overall decline in electricity demand as the coronavirus pandemic shutters businesses around the country — limiting the need to rely as heavily on coal. Low natural gas prices and warm weather are also contributing to the shift.

The IEEFA previously predicted that renewable generation would consistently surpass coal by 2021.

“But in the first quarter of 2020, renewable generation unexpectedly exceeded coal, and with this strong performance continuing in the second quarter, there is an increasing chance that the milestone could occur this year,” the group said.