US power plants received 449 million short tons of coal in 2021, less than half of the 957 tons received in 2010, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
Coal shipments to US power plants declined over the last decade as coal-fired generation in the country fell and coal-fired power plants shut down.
Although coal shipments have been trending down over the past decade, 2021 shipments increased five per cent from 2020 because coal-fired generation increased.
In 2021, coal-fired generation rose for the first time since 2014 because of higher electricity demand and natural gas prices.
Minemouth coal-fired power plants (plants built beside coal mines) receive coal directly from the adjacent mine.
Minemouth shipments accounted for eight per cent of coal shipments to power plants in 2021, compared with six per cent in 2010.
For non-minemouth plants, coal must be transported from coal mines to the plant.
More coal is transported over the extensive US freight rail network than any other shipping method, with 70 per cent of the coal delivered to US power plants in 2021 and 2010 being shipped either entirely or partially by rail.
River barges are usually the lowest cost to transport coal over long distances, but their use is limited to the few coal-fired power plants located on navigable rivers.
Barges accounted for 11 per cent of coal shipments to power plants in 2010 and 2021.
SeaNews Turkey
Coal shipments to US power plants declined over the last decade as coal-fired generation in the country fell and coal-fired power plants shut down.
Although coal shipments have been trending down over the past decade, 2021 shipments increased five per cent from 2020 because coal-fired generation increased.
In 2021, coal-fired generation rose for the first time since 2014 because of higher electricity demand and natural gas prices.
Minemouth coal-fired power plants (plants built beside coal mines) receive coal directly from the adjacent mine.
Minemouth shipments accounted for eight per cent of coal shipments to power plants in 2021, compared with six per cent in 2010.
For non-minemouth plants, coal must be transported from coal mines to the plant.
More coal is transported over the extensive US freight rail network than any other shipping method, with 70 per cent of the coal delivered to US power plants in 2021 and 2010 being shipped either entirely or partially by rail.
River barges are usually the lowest cost to transport coal over long distances, but their use is limited to the few coal-fired power plants located on navigable rivers.
Barges accounted for 11 per cent of coal shipments to power plants in 2010 and 2021.
SeaNews Turkey
