Annual Electricity Generation by Fuel Type
Nebraska

Electricity generation increased 7.7 percent to 36,630,006 megawatthours in 2010 from 34,001,892 megawatthours in 2009.  Most of Nebraska's electricity was generated by coal and nuclear power plants (63.78 percent and 30.18 percent, respectively).  Plants using hydroelectric power, wind, natural gas, other biomass, and petroleum generated 3.59 percent, 1.15 percent, 1.02 percent, 0.20 percent, and 0.08 percent, respectively.

In 2010, electricity generation by hydroelectric power more than doubled from 2009, generation by petroleum increased 35 percent (offsetting the previous year's decrease), generation by natural gas increased 20 percent, generation by nuclear power increased 17 percent, generation by wind increased 10.2 percent, and generation by other biomass increased 8 percent.  In 2010, electricity generation by coal had relatively no change from 2009.

There was an increase in electricity generation from other biomass from electric generators, electric utilities, between 1992–1998, because the Sheldon plant, operated by Nebraska Public Power District, was producing electricity from tire chips.  There was no generation reported from this renewable energy source after 1998.  The process was discontinued, because it was not considered cost–effective.

Also see the Generating Units report, the Units and Capacity by Energy Source report, and the Units and Capacity by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation report for additional information.


Nebraska's Annual Electricity Net Generation by Energy Source and by Producer
1990 – 2010
(Megawatthours)
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1990
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 2,686 --- 224 --- --- --- --- --- --- 2,910
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 12,658,464 1,140,093 307,841 7,511,298 --- --- --- 12,981 --- 21,630,677
  Total Electric Power Industry 12,661,150 1,140,093 308,065 7,511,298 --- --- --- 12,981 --- 21,633,587
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1991
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 28,413 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 28,413
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 13,562,815 1,044,671 303,327 8,047,662 --- --- --- 13,459 --- 22,971,934
  Total Electric Power Industry 13,591,228 1,044,671 303,327 8,047,662 --- --- --- 13,459 --- 23,000,347
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1992
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 38,027 --- 224 --- --- --- --- --- --- 38,251
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 12,402,148 1,075,446 145,268 8,748,468 --- 6,435 --- 9,482 --- 22,387,247
  Total Electric Power Industry 12,440,175 1,075,446 145,492 8,748,468 --- 6,435 --- 9,482 --- 22,425,498
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1993
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 36,428 --- 143 --- --- --- --- --- --- 36,570
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 14,739,783 1,001,663 152,922 6,805,133 --- 5,750 --- 19,035 --- 22,724,286
  Total Electric Power Industry 14,776,211 1,001,663 153,065 6,805,133 --- 5,750 --- 19,035 --- 22,760,856
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1994
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 37,452 --- 154 --- --- --- --- --- --- 37,606
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 14,002,015 1,311,883 258,764 6,345,330 --- 9,332 --- 18,201 --- 21,945,525
  Total Electric Power Industry 14,039,467 1,311,883 258,918 6,345,330 --- 9,332 --- 18,201 --- 21,983,131
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1995
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 24,900 --- 123 --- --- --- --- --- --- 25,023
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 16,079,519 1,426,058 245,305 7,485,448 --- 16,268 --- 26,679 --- 25,279,277
  Total Electric Power Industry 16,104,419 1,426,058 245,428 7,485,448 --- 16,268 --- 26,679 --- 25,304,300
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1996
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 26,227 --- 2,185 --- --- --- --- --- --- 28,412
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 16,040,775 1,601,919 191,682 9,456,814 --- 11,534 --- 19,973 --- 27,322,697
  Total Electric Power Industry 16,067,002 1,601,919 193,867 9,456,814 --- 11,534 --- 19,973 --- 27,351,109
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1997
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 605 --- --- 9,382 --- --- --- 9,986
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1,407 --- --- 6,988 --- --- --- 8,395
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 39,557 --- 3,298 --- --- --- --- --- --- 42,855
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 17,209,080 1,672,419 205,991 9,268,857 --- 624 --- 31,059 --- 28,388,030
  Total Electric Power Industry 17,248,637 1,672,419 211,300 9,268,857 --- 16,994 --- 31,059 --- 28,449,266
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1998
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 8,979 --- --- 10,878 --- 715 --- 20,573
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 2,392 --- --- 6,008 --- --- --- 8,400
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 44,506 --- 3,104 --- --- --- --- --- --- 47,610
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 18,335,965 1,682,834 400,008 8,258,803 --- 707 --- 41,892 0 28,720,209
  Total Electric Power Industry 18,380,471 1,682,834 414,483 8,258,803 --- 17,593 --- 42,607 0 28,796,791
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
1999
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 8,262 --- --- 9,211 --- 816 --- 18,289
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1,742 --- --- 6,991 --- --- --- 8,733
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 43,040 --- 4,722 --- --- --- --- --- --- 47,762
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 17,794,136 1,719,030 347,902 10,091,092 --- 0 --- 28,807 0 29,980,967
  Total Electric Power Industry 17,837,176 1,719,030 362,628 10,091,092 --- 16,202 --- 29,623 0 30,055,751
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2000
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 7,797 --- --- 9,908 --- 944 --- 18,649
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 863 --- --- 6,606 --- --- --- 7,470
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 33,134 --- 4,872 --- --- --- --- --- --- 38,006
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 18,424,799 1,500,724 437,822 8,628,679 --- 0 --- 53,715 0 29,045,739
  Total Electric Power Industry 18,457,933 1,500,724 451,355 8,628,679 --- 16,514 --- 54,659 0 29,109,864
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2001
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 5,592 --- --- 8,374 --- 3,036 --- 17,002
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- --- --- --- 8,289 --- --- --- 8,289
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 45,164 --- 3,090 --- --- --- --- --- --- 48,254
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 20,193,542 1,124,122 340,050 8,726,113 58 --- --- 25,154 2,630 30,411,669
  Total Electric Power Industry 20,238,706 1,124,122 348,732 8,726,113 58 16,663 --- 28,190 2,630 30,485,214
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2002
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 7,987 --- --- 6,538 --- 2,139 --- 16,663
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1,045 --- --- 6,455 --- --- --- 7,500
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 44,104 --- 0 --- --- --- --- --- --- 44,104
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 19,899,803 1,097,486 404,106 10,122,242 0 --- 101 18,410 8,078 31,550,226
  Total Electric Power Industry 19,943,907 1,097,486 413,138 10,122,242 0 12,993 101 20,549 8,078 31,618,493
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2003
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 9,131 --- --- 10,446 --- 881 --- 20,458
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 2,538 --- --- 18,906 --- --- --- 21,444
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 46,203 --- 0 --- --- --- --- --- --- 46,203
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 20,907,970 980,110 369,409 7,996,902 0 27,090 206 47,971 38,221 30,367,879
  Total Electric Power Industry 20,954,173 980,110 381,078 7,996,902 0 56,442 206 48,852 38,221 30,455,984
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2004
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 8,813 --- --- 12,774 --- 864 --- 22,451
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1 --- --- 5 --- --- --- 6
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 42,125 --- 0 --- --- --- --- --- --- 42,125
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 20,414,960 913,021 288,576 10,241,254 0 26,739 142 21,004 38,431 31,944,127
  Total Electric Power Industry 20,457,085 913,021 297,390 10,241,254 0 39,518 142 21,868 38,431 32,008,709
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2005
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 7,608 --- --- 10,631 --- 980 --- 19,219
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 842 --- --- 7,449 --- --- --- 8,291
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 45,581 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 45,581
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 20,772,590 871,473 794,533 8,801,841 --- 24,566 6 30,026 96,608 31,391,643
  Total Electric Power Industry 20,818,171 871,473 802,983 8,801,841 --- 42,646 6 31,005 96,608 31,464,734
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2006
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 4,869 --- --- 11,472 --- 403 --- 16,744
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1,348 --- --- 3,137 --- --- --- 4,485
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 49,693 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 49,693
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 20,632,855 893,386 752,584 9,002,656 --- 37,404 0 18,914 261,247 31,599,046
  Total Electric Power Industry 20,682,548 893,386 758,801 9,002,656 --- 52,014 0 19,317 261,247 31,669,969
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2007
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 4,374 --- --- 12,238 --- 215 --- 16,827
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1,684 --- --- 2,837 --- --- --- 4,521
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 18,062 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 18,062
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 19,611,849 347,444 1,103,962 11,041,532 --- 46,184 0 35,552 216,765 32,403,289
  Total Electric Power Industry 19,629,911 347,444 1,110,020 11,041,532 --- 61,259 0 35,767 216,765 32,442,699
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2008
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 63 --- --- 12,861 --- --- --- 12,924
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 1,365 --- --- 3,508 --- --- --- 4,873
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 49 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 49
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 21,479,723 346,456 757,060 9,479,039 --- 44,559 0 34,655 214,184 32,355,676
  Total Electric Power Industry 21,479,773 346,456 758,487 9,479,039 --- 60,929 0 34,655 214,184 32,373,522
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2009
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 291 --- --- 14,123 --- --- --- 14,414
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 97 --- --- 4,623 --- --- --- 4,720
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 42,034 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 42,034
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 23,307,746 433,690 311,194 9,435,142 --- 47,449 --- 22,869 217,972 33,776,062
  Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 164,662 164,662
  Total Electric Power Industry 23,349,780 433,690 311,581 9,435,142 --- 66,195 --- 22,869 382,634 34,001,892
Year  Coal Conventional Hydroelectric Natural Gas Nuclear Other Other Biomass Other Gases Petroleum Wind Total
2010
  Combined Heat and Power, Commercial Power --- --- 195 --- --- 12,347 --- --- --- 12,542
  Combined Heat and Power, Electric Power --- --- 155 --- --- 5,665 --- --- --- 5,820
  Combined Heat and Power, Industrial Power 148,159 --- 12,289 --- --- --- --- --- --- 160,448
  Electric Generators, Electric Utilities 23,214,616 1,313,856 362,396 11,054,337 --- 53,497 --- 30,849 213,370 36,242,921
  Electric Generators, Independent Power Producers --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 208,275 208,275
  Total Electric Power Industry 23,362,776 1,313,856 375,035 11,054,337 --- 71,508 --- 30,849 421,645 36,630,006

Sources:  Electric Power Annual.  Energy Information Administration, Washington, DC.  Nebraska Energy Office, Lincoln, NE.

Notes:  Totals may not equal the sum of the components due to independent rounding, and totals from one table to the next may not be equivalent.

Coal includes anthracite, bituminous coal, subbituminous coal, lignite, waste coal, and synthetic coal.

Other includes non-biogenic municipal solid waste, batteries, chemicals, hydrogen, pitch, purchased steam, sulfur, tire-derived fuels, and miscellaneous technologies.

Other Biomass includes biogenic municipal solid waste, landfill gas, sludge waste, agricultural byproducts, other biomass solids, other biomass liquids, and other biomass gases (including digester gases and methane).

Other Gases includes blast furnace gas, propane gas, and other manufactured and waste gases derived from fossil fuels.

Petroleum includes distillate fuel oil (all diesel and No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 fuel oils), residual fuel oil (No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils and bunker C fuel oil), jet fuel, kerosene, petroleum coke, and waste oil.

Wood and Wood Derived Fuels includes paper pellets, railroad ties, utility poles, wood chips, bark, red liquor, sludge wood, spent sulfite liquor, and black liquor, with other wood waste solids and wood-based liquids.

The table and graph were updated on January 3, 2012.  Typically, there is one year between updates.

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