中文
In line with the shift towards cleaner energy sources, US coal output is projected to decline in 2023, dropping from 594.2 million short tons in 2022 to 585.4 million short tons (531.07 million tonnes), the lowest since 2021, according to a report released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) on November 7.
Coal production is expected to further fall to 480.4 million short tons in 2024, hitting the lowest level since 1963, as natural gas and renewable energy sources increasingly replace coal-fired power plants, EIA said in its Short Term Energy Outlook.
In contrast, the output and demand for natural gas in the US are expected to reach new peaks in 2023.
The EIA projected a rise in dry gas production to 103.68 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2023 and 105.12 bcfd in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 99.60 bcfd in 2022.
Domestic gas consumption is predicted to increase from a record 88.38 bcfd in 2022 to 89.42 bcfd in 2023 and then slightly decline to 89.00 bcfd in 2024.
If these projections hold true, it would mark the first four consecutive years of production growth since 2015 and three consecutive years of increased demand since 2016, Reuter reported.
The EIA's latest forecast for 2023 indicates slightly lower supply expectations of 103.68 bcfd, compared to its October projection of 103.72 bcfd. However, the forecasted demand for 2023 is higher at 89.42 bcfd, compared to the previous estimate of 89.17 bcfd.
Furthermore, the EIA anticipated that US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports will continue to rise, reaching 11.80 bcfd in 2023 and 12.29 bcfd in 2024. This surpasses the record of 10.59 bcfd in 2022 and exceeds the EIA's October forecast of 11.62 bcfd for 2023.
As a result of reduced coal consumption by power plants, the EIA predicted a decline in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, estimating a decrease from 4.939 billion tonnes in 2022 to 4.786 billion tonnes in 2023 and 4.751 billion tonnes in 2024.
These figures compare with 4.580 billion tonnes in 2020, the lowest since 1983 due to the impact of COVID-19 on energy demand.
(Writing by Riley Liang Editing by Emma Yang)
For any questions, please contact us by inquiry@fwenergy.com or +86-351-7219322.
