The United States produced more energy in 2024 than previous years, driven in part by record output from solar, wind, and biofuels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Total domestic energy production exceeded 103qd British thermal units (Btu), surpassing the previous record set in 2023 by 1%.
“Biofuels, wind, and solar production each set records in 2024, contributing to record total renewable energy production in the United States,” the EIA reported.
Solar energy saw the biggest leap among renewables, growing 25% compared to 2023, while wind generation increased by 8%. Biofuels – including ethanol, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel – hit a record 1.4m barrels per day, up 6% from the previous year.
Despite this growth, fossil fuels remained dominant. Natural gas accounted for about 38% of total energy production, maintaining its lead since 2011.
Crude oil followed at 27%, with production reaching a record 13.2m barrels per day. Coal, by contrast, fell to its lowest level since 1964, making up just 10% of output.
Older energy sources such as hydropower and nuclear remained flat or declined slightly.
“Output from other energy sources that are primarily used for electric power generation either peaked decades ago… or fell slightly from their 2023 values,” noted the EIA.
The data reflect a steadily shifting US energy landscape – one still dominated by fossil fuels but with renewables claiming a growing share.
