Renewables’ installed capacity to beat natural gas by 2027 – EIA data

If small-scale solar is included, newly released US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign indicates that renewables are on track to surpass natural gas in total electrical generating capacity by early 2027.

Electrical generation by renewables grew over 11%

According to the EIA’s latest “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through March 31, 2026), electricity generated by renewables during Q1 2026 was up 11.1% over Q1 2025. The growth was led by utility-scale solar (+23.9%), hydropower (+21.9%), small-scale solar (<1 MW) (+11.9%), and wind (+2.1%).

Utility-scale battery energy storage capacity increased by 8.5%.

Meanwhile, the electrical output of US coal plants fell by 11.4%, while natural gas and nuclear both experienced weak growth of 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively.