(Reuters) — Florida's electricity generation became less diverse over the last two decades as natural gas has accounted for most of the electricity generation in the state, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Thursday.
Natural gas accounted for 31% of Florida’s electricity generation in 2002, which grew up to 75% by 2022, the EIA added. This growth was supported by new and advanced natural gas-fired capacity.
"In addition, increased natural gas production throughout the country and expansion of the Southeast U.S. pipeline network have supplied these new power plants with access to low-priced fuel," the agency said.
EIA said that the increases in Florida’s natural gas-fired capacity have come about as older and less efficient coal-fired generators retired. The state's share of coal-fired generation has fallen from 33% in 2002 to 6% in 2022 while oil-fired generation fell from 17% to 1%.
Announced natural gas capacity additions would total 1.8 gigawatts (GW) and solar capacity is expected to double up to 11.6 GW, or 5.5 GW of new units from 2023 through 2026, the EIA said.