State Overview
The population of the “Beehive State,” Utah is approximately 3.42 million people. Utah is the 30th most populated state in the United States.
In 2022, Utah’s economy was ranked 29th in the United States in gross domestic product (GDP). The state’s economy is dependent on the aerospace, defense, bioscience, information technology, and tourism industries.
Environmental Policies
In 2008, Utah enacted a Renewables Portfolio Goal for all utilities to sell 30% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025.
Power Generation Capabilities
In June 2023, Utah’s utilities used coal (44.8%), natural gas (33.7%), and renewable energy (21.5%) to generate electricity. Solar, wind, and hydropower are the dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Utah.
In June 2023, the average cost of residential electricity in Utah was 11.45¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 16.11¢ per kWh.
Recent renewable energy developments in Utah include:
- 1,000 MW Energy Storage Project – Utah company, Magnum Development is continuing work on the Advanced Clean Energy Storage Project located in central Utah. The project will combine compressed air storage in salt caverns with hydrogen storage, large flow batteries and solid-oxide fuel cells. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2025.
- 840 MW Energy Storage Project – Japanese multinational, Mitsubishi and American company, Magnum Development are continuing work on an underground hydrogen energy storage project at a site approximately 100 southwest of the state capital, Salt Lake City. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2025.
- 400 MW Solar + 200 MW Energy Storage Project – Arizona company, Sundt Construction is continuing work on the Green River Energy Center and Pivot 13 Solar project at a site approximately 125 south-southwest of Salt Lake City. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2024.
- 300 MW Solar + 100 MW Energy Storage Project – Utah company, Enyo Renewable Energy is continuing work on the Hornshadow Solar project at a site approximately 115 southeast of Salt Lake City. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2024.
- 200 MW Solar Project – Utah renewable energy company, rPlus Energies is continuing work on the Appaloosa Solar 1 project at a site approximately 175 southwest of Salt Lake City. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 7 MW Solar Project – On March 2021, New York company, D.E. Shaw Renewable Investment commissioned the Hunter Solar PV Park project at a site approximately 125 southeast of Salt Lake City.
- 120 MW Solar Project – Oregon utility, PacifiCorp is continuing work on the Appaloosa solar project. The project is located at a site approximately 250 southwest of Salt Lake City. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 80 MW Solar Project – D.E. Shaw Renewable Investment is continuing work on the Elektron Solar project at a site approximately 20 miles southwest of the state capital, Salt Lake City. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
Conclusions
Coal mining began in Utah in 1875 at a site approximately 60 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. In 2022, 10.72 million tons of coal was produced from five underground and one surface mine in Utah.
In 2005, 94.0% of Utah’s electricity was generated from coal-fueled power plants. In June 2023, 44.8% of Utah’s electricity was generated from coal. Why the decrease?
- Economics – The cost to generate power from wind, solar, and hydropower is significantly cheaper than coal. The cost to generate electricity from coal-fired plants is over twice the cost of wind or solar.
- Environment – Coal ash, the product of coal burned in a power plant contains toxic components including arsenic, mercury, and lead. In 2019, coal ash was reported to have contaminated the ground water around 241 coal-fired plants in America.
- Climate Change – Coal generates 40% to 45% more greenhouse gases than natural gas.
Utah’s utilities have had over one hundred years of abundant, cheap coal to fuel the state’s power plants. However, the cost to mine coal has steadily risen, while the cost to generate electricity from wind or solar has plummeted.
Utah has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. Utilities in the Beehive State are now turning from costly coal to clean, green inexpensive renewable energy.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy issues.