Coal plant capacity factors in the U.S. 2010-2024

Published by Lucía Fernández, Nov 28, 2025

The average capacity factor of all coal plants in the United States stood at 42.5 percent in 2024. This was a slight increase compared to the previous year. The capacity factor refers to the ratio of the actual energy produced by an energy generating system to the maximum amount of energy that can be produced at full rated power.

Capacity factor of coal power plants in the United States from 2010 to 2024

CharacteristicCapacity factor
2024* 42.5%
2023 42.1%
2022 48.4%
2021 49.1%
2020 40.5%
2019 47.5%
2018 53.6%
2017 53.1%
2016 52.8%
2015 54.3%
2014 60.5%
2013 59.4%
2012 56.2%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (15 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Capacity factor67.1%67.1%62.8%62.8%56.2%56.2%59.4%59.4%60.5%60.5%54.3%54.3%52.8%52.8%53.1%53.1%53.6%53.6%47.5%47.5%40.5%40.5%49.1%49.1%48.4%48.4%42.1%42.1%42.5%42.5%201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024*
40%45%50%55%60%65%70%

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Release date

2025

Region

United States

Survey time period

2010 to 2024

Supplementary notes

*Preliminary values

For utility scale generators primarily using fossil fuels.

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