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Renewables to hit 40% of US generating capacity and overtake gas within a year, says EIA

By Eve

Renewables will grow from 37.7% to 40.4% of total US generating capacity over the coming year, surpassing natural gas and outstripping nuclear capacity fivefold, according to the US Energy Information Administration's Electric Power Monthly report with data through 31 August 2026. From January to August 2026, renewably generated electricity rose 10.2% year on year, led by utility scale solar (up 20.0%), small scale solar (up 12.0%) and wind (up 7.8%), while wind and solar combined accounted for 21.1% of domestic electricity production and produced 44.4% more electricity than coal.

Why it matters

A grid increasingly powered by renewables strengthens the business case for EV charging infrastructure, as cleaner electricity improves the carbon credentials that fleet operators and site hosts demand. Faster renewable growth also signals more predictable, lower cost power for CPOs planning long term charging deployments.

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Original title
“Renewables to reach 40% of total generating capacity, beat gas within a year – EIA”
Published
27 October 2026
Updated
28 October 2026

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