Natural gas-fired power plants are becoming increasingly efficient in the United States, according to a new analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The average utilization rate, or capacity factor, for the U.S. fleet of combined-cycle natural gas turbine (CCGT) plants has increased from 40% in 2008 to 57% in 2022, EIA noted.

More advanced natural gas turbine technology entered the market in the early 2010s, contributing to an increase in the efficiency of newer natural gas-fired power plants, EIA researchers said. Meanwhile, lower natural gas prices led to higher capacity factors at natural gas-fired power plants. Electricity generated from natural gas became relatively cheaper than other electricity generation sources, such as coal.

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