Natural gas usage share in ERCOT falls, but maintains lead: grid operator
The natural gas share in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ generation mix fell for the second straight month, yet remains the lead fuel source despite coal making some gains, ERCOT said in its monthly report released Wednesday.
Natural gas-fired usage dropped to 45.1% of the electricity generated in ERCOT in May from 50.8% in April, but it was up from 38.5% in May 2014. Spot Houston Ship Channel gas prices averaged $2.802/MMBtu for May, up from $2.561/MMBtu in April, but down from $4.463/MMBtu in May 2014.
Coal-fired power jumped for a second straight month to 27.9% of the energy used in ERCOT in May from 23.1% in April and 21.9% in March, which was the lowest point so far this year. Coal facilities provided 39.5% of the fuel mix in May 2014, more than gas plants at the time and the second-highest point coal reached that year.
