United States Coal Power: Generation, Share and Trend
The United States generated 737 TWh of electricity from coal in 2025, 16.3% of its total, according to Ember. That made it the third largest coal power producer in 2025 of the 85 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year. Coal supplied 33.1% of the world's electricity in 2025. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through August 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- The United States generated 737 TWh of electricity from coal in 2025.
- Coal supplied 16.3% of the United States' electricity in 2025.
- The United States was the third largest coal power producer in 2025 among the 85 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year.
- The United States' coal generation in 2025 was 5% lower than in 2020, when it was 773 TWh.
- The United States' coal generation in 2025 was 45% lower than in 2015, when it was 1,352 TWh.
- The United States' coal generation peaked at 2,016 TWh in 2007.
- The United States' coal share in 2025 was below the world share of 33.1%.
- The United States had 189 GW of coal generating capacity in 2025.
- Coal power in the United States emitted 700 MtCO2 in 2025, 40% of the power sector's emissions.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Coal generation | 737 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Share of the United States' electricity | 16.3% | 2025 · Ember |
| World share of coal | 33.1% | 2025 · Ember |
| Rank by coal generation (each country's latest year) | 3 of 85 | 2025 · Ember |
| Coal capacity | 189 GW | 2025 · Ember |
| Coal power emissions | 700 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
Coal Generation Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2025Annual statistics through 2025, TWh
| Year | Coal |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,966 TWh |
| 2001 | 1,904 TWh |
| 2002 | 1,933 TWh |
| 2003 | 1,974 TWh |
| 2004 | 1,978 TWh |
| 2005 | 2,013 TWh |
| 2006 | 1,991 TWh |
| 2007 | 2,016 TWh |
| 2008 | 1,986 TWh |
| 2009 | 1,756 TWh |
| 2010 | 1,847 TWh |
| 2011 | 1,733 TWh |
| 2012 | 1,514 TWh |
| 2013 | 1,581 TWh |
| 2014 | 1,582 TWh |
| 2015 | 1,352 TWh |
| 2016 | 1,239 TWh |
| 2017 | 1,206 TWh |
| 2018 | 1,149 TWh |
| 2019 | 965 TWh |
| 2020 | 773 TWh |
| 2021 | 898 TWh |
| 2022 | 832 TWh |
| 2023 | 675 TWh |
| 2024 | 652 TWh |
| 2025 | 737 TWh |
Annual statistics through 2025, % of generation
| Year | United States | World |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 51.7% | 38.0% |
| 2001 | 51.1% | 38.0% |
| 2002 | 50.3% | 38.3% |
| 2003 | 51.0% | 39.5% |
| 2004 | 50.1% | 39.0% |
| 2005 | 49.9% | 39.5% |
| 2006 | 49.2% | 40.2% |
| 2007 | 48.7% | 40.8% |
| 2008 | 48.3% | 40.2% |
| 2009 | 44.6% | 39.9% |
| 2010 | 44.9% | 39.8% |
| 2011 | 42.4% | 40.6% |
| 2012 | 37.5% | 39.9% |
| 2013 | 39.0% | 40.8% |
| 2014 | 38.6% | 40.5% |
| 2015 | 33.1% | 38.7% |
| 2016 | 30.3% | 37.8% |
| 2017 | 29.8% | 38.0% |
| 2018 | 27.4% | 38.0% |
| 2019 | 23.2% | 36.7% |
| 2020 | 19.1% | 35.4% |
| 2021 | 21.6% | 36.0% |
| 2022 | 19.4% | 35.6% |
| 2023 | 15.9% | 35.2% |
| 2024 | 14.9% | 34.2% |
| 2025 | 16.3% | 33.1% |
| Year | Generation | Share | World share | Capacity | Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 737 TWh | 16.3% | 33.1% | 189 GW | 700 MtCO2 |
| 2024 | 652 TWh | 14.9% | 34.2% | 193 GW | 620 MtCO2 |
| 2023 | 675 TWh | 15.9% | 35.2% | 200 GW | 641 MtCO2 |
| 2022 | 832 TWh | 19.4% | 35.6% | 210 GW | 789 MtCO2 |
| 2021 | 898 TWh | 21.6% | 36.0% | 225 GW | 853 MtCO2 |
| 2020 | 773 TWh | 19.1% | 35.4% | 234 GW | 735 MtCO2 |
| 2019 | 965 TWh | 23.2% | 36.7% | 246 GW | 916 MtCO2 |
| 2018 | 1,149 TWh | 27.4% | 38.0% | 262 GW | 1,092 MtCO2 |
| 2017 | 1,206 TWh | 29.8% | 38.0% | 278 GW | 1,145 MtCO2 |
| 2016 | 1,239 TWh | 30.3% | 37.8% | 287 GW | 1,177 MtCO2 |
Full year by year history for United States
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025. World shares are Ember's World totals; ranks compare each country's latest year, which can differ between countries.
Coal Generation Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through August 2026Monthly statistics through August 2026, TWh
| Month | Coal |
|---|---|
| 2024-09 | 54.6 TWh |
| 2024-10 | 46.9 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 44.9 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 62.8 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 83.2 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 62.3 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 49.2 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 45.5 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 48.8 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 64.5 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 80.3 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 69.7 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 58.3 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 54.0 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 54.5 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 66.9 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 72.5 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 55.9 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 44.1 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 39.8 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 45.1 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 56.3 TWh |
| 2026-07 | 75.7 TWh |
| 2026-08 | 71.4 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of August 2026. Monthly figures for the United States can differ slightly from the annual totals.