Net Generation of Electric Power

Not all electricity that is generated in Arizona is used by Arizonans; much of it is exported to other states, particularly to markets in Southern California. Over one third of the energy generated in Arizona continues to be from coal (36.2% in 2012). Coal burning power plants are a source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. After rising at sharp rate for about ten years, and peaking in 2007 at 33.9%, the percent of energy produced from natural gas in Arizona has decreased since then, although in 2012 its production rebounded a bit. Natural gas-fired power stations burn cleaner and produce lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal-fired generators; however, natural gas is also a non-renewable energy source. Palo Verde Nuclear Power plant is the highest capacity nuclear plant in the United States and production has stayed steady, with 28.8% of the energy produced in Arizona in 2012 being from nuclear power. Renewable energy production is becoming more important in Arizona, but production has actually decreased since peaking at 15.4% of total energy generated in 1997. In 2011, renewable power production rose from the previous year to 9.0%, before dropping again in 2012 to 7.6%. Of note, however, is that over 20% of 2012 renewable energy production in Arizona came from renewable sources other than hydroelectric power. This was almost a four-fold increase from the previous year and is due to continued increases in energy generated by wind and solar power, as well as a decrease in hydroelectric production.