Coal Provided 21% of U.S. Power in Storm Fern Week, Up 24%

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) — Coal-fired electricity generation in the U.S. surged during the week of Winter Storm Fern as grid operators looked at fuel sources beyond natural gas to maintain supply, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Wednesday (1/28).

Coal’s share of power generation across the 48 Lower U.S. states rose to 21% in the week ended Jan. 25, up from the prior week’s 17%, as coal-fired generation increased 31% week-on-week.

Power generation from natural gas surged 14% in the week of the snowstorm to meet the massive spike in heating requirements as frigid temperatures gripped the Northeast to Mid-Atlantic, accounting for 38% of electricity generation.

Electricity generation from renewable fuel sources including solar, wind, and hydropower declined during the profiled week, while nuclear power generation was almost unchanged at a share of 18%, the EIA said.

The weekly spike in coal demand contrasts with the trend from earlier in the month, when milder weather led to lower coal-fired generation compared with usage during the same period of 2025.

The shifting pattern showed grid operators could depend on coal as a generation source during extreme weather events, the EIA added.