By Ginika Igboke
The share of solar and wind power in U.S. electricity generation is projected to increase from 18 percent in 2025 to about 21 percent by 2027, according to a Jan. 16 report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
By contrast, the EIA said the three main dispatchable sources—natural gas, coal, and nuclear—accounted for roughly 75 percent of total electricity generation in 2025, but their combined share is expected to decline to about 72 percent in 2027.
Total electricity generation by the U.S. electric power sector reached approximately 4,260 billion kilowatt-hours (BkWh) in 2025. The EIA forecasts generation will grow by 1.1 percent in 2026 and by 2.6 percent in 2027, reaching about 4,423 BkWh annually.
Utility-scale solar is expected to be the fastest-growing source of electricity generation, rising from 290 BkWh in 2025 to 424 BkWh by 2027. Nearly 70 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity are slated to come online this year and next, representing a 49 percent increase from last year. Much of this new capacity will be added in Texas, where solar generation on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid could nearly double between 2025 and 2027.
Wind power generation has historically been concentrated in central regions of the country, particularly within the grid operated by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). However, the EIA said new wind capacity additions in MISO have slowed, with little growth in wind generation there expected through 2027.
Between 2025 and 2027, natural gas is projected to see its share of total power generation dip slightly from 40 percent to 39 percent, while coal’s share is expected to fall from 17 percent to 15 percent.
These projections come amid policy actions by the Trump administration aimed at scaling back renewable energy. On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an order temporarily withdrawing all areas of the outer continental shelf from offshore wind leasing. Later, on July 7, 2025, he signed an executive order ending federal subsidies for wind and solar projects, citing concerns over reliability and dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains. The Department of the Interior subsequently announced measures to end what it described as “unreliable energy sources” and to promote affordable, reliable energy development nationwide.
In August 2025, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed an order targeting what the administration described as “environmentally damaging” solar and wind projects, emphasizing optimal use of federal lands for energy development.
Legal Challenges and Renewed Support for Coal
The administration’s rollback of renewable energy policies has faced legal challenges. On Dec. 8, 2025, U.S. District Judge Patti Saris of the District of Massachusetts vacated the Jan. 20 order that halted federal permitting and leasing for wind energy projects. Saris ruled that the indefinite suspension violated statutory requirements for agencies to act within reasonable time frames.
Environmental group Sierra Club welcomed the decision. In a Dec. 9 statement, senior adviser Nancy Pyne said Americans need affordable and reliable energy that does not compromise public health or future generations, adding that the group would continue advocating for expanded wind energy development.
At the same time, the administration has moved to promote coal. The Department of Energy recently convened the first meeting of the National Coal Council, reversing its termination under the Biden administration. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said coal plants had previously been shut prematurely, driving up energy prices and harming workers and communities.
“Thanks to President Trump, the war on coal is over,” Wright said, adding that more than 15 GW of coal-fired power capacity has been saved from closure. He said the administration is working with industry and workers to ensure coal continues to provide reliable power across the United States.
Original article
Comments