Ohio Energy Stats

The majority of Ohio's electricity is produced from natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Ohio has a high level of power consumption due to large industrial usage. However, the Ohio Energy Choice program has ensured that prices remain affordable for Ohio residents. This is in stark contrast to many other states. In addition, the state continues to grow its renewable energy sources to reduce its dependence on coal and gas.

The Source of Power

According to a 2015 survey, natural gas was the most popular source of energy in Ohio, accounting for more than 1 trillion BTU in annual consumption. The increase in natural gas production is partly due to Utica Shale, which has seen a 19x production increase from 2011 through 2016. As of 2016, Ohio also had the 7th largest capacity for crude-oil refining in the country.

Second place goes to coal, followed by motor gasoline and ethanol. Ohio, which produces over 550 million gallons of ethanol each year, ranks 8th in the country in ethanol production. Together with other renewable energy sources, nuclear power generates approximately 180 trillion BTU annually.  The state also received about 380 trillion BTU in net flow of electricity from interstate transmission.

Ohio Electricity

In 2015, 58% of electricity in Ohio was generated by coal. Natural gas (24%), and other forms of power generation account for 14%. While renewable energy continues to expand, it accounts for only 2% of the state's electricity production. However, this number is anticipated to rise as more projects are completed.

Ohio energy rates are comparable to the energy rates in other states. Typically, those rates fall in the middle of the rates customers in other states pa. Hawaii residents pay 29.07c per kWh (the highest average rate of all states), while Washington residents pay the lowest average rate of 9.68c per kWh. Ohio currently ranks 26th in the list of states with an average price per kWh at 12.51 cents.

Renewable Energy

Wind energy, the Ohio's largest source of renewable power, has been steadily growing since 2004 when the first Wind Farm was built in Bowling Green. By the end of 2016, the state had a total of 34 wind farms online, with another 100 megawatts were under construction.

There are also 19 utility-scale power plants in Ohio that are fueled by landfill gas or biomass. Wood and wood waste can be used to make biomass, as can municipal solid waste and biodigesters. Two wood pellet producers are also involved in the production of biomass. For the first time in 2016, solar power accounted for nearly 10% of non-hydroelectric renewable energy, More than half of this is consumer-generated and small scale.

Hydropower is also responsible for around 2.3% of the electricity generated in Ohio. It is generated from many sources, including hydropower dams which generate the power needed to power turbines. The final piece in the renewable picture is geothermal. It converts heat from beneath the surface of the Earth into steam which powers turbines.

FAQ

What is the main source of energy in Ohio?

In Ohio, natural gas has fueled the largest share of net generation in state since 2019.

How much of Ohio's energy is renewable?

The Bureau of Energy Statistics reports that Ohio generated 3% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2020. Wind energy generates about three-fifths of the state's renewable energy. The 304-megawatt Blue Creek Wind Farm, completed in 2012, has 152 turbines rated at two megawatts each.

Are there wind turbines in Ohio?

Ohio generates only about 1.7% of its electricity from wind, according to the wind association, which counts 419 windmills there, the 24th most in the nation. Most of the state's windmills are located on flat land in Paulding and Van Wert counties, in the northwest part of the state.

What power grid is Ohio on?

Ohio is connected to one of the two major national power grids, the Eastern Interconnection, which means that in the event of a power outage, businesses could still obtain electricity from elsewhere. Additionally, two nuclear power plants can provide electricity in northern Ohio if that fails.