Electric power generated from U.S. natural-gas fired plants reached 6.37 million MWh on July 21, a record high according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Hourly Electric Grid Monitor.
The EIA said despite relatively high natural gas prices, demand for natural gas-fired power was strong as a result of above-normal temperatures, reduced coal-fired electricity generation, and recent natural gas-fired capacity additions.
EIA said that this past July was especially hot, ranking as the third hottest on record in the United States. Electricity demand usually peaks in the summer because of demand for air conditioning.
