Natural gas is expected to remain as the primary source for electricity generation in the U.S. through 2019, the country's Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Monday.
The share of gas-fired power plants in the total U.S. electricity supply is estimated to average 33 percent this year and 34 percent next year, the EIA said, up from 32 percent last year.
Coal's share, which had been the primary source for electricity generation for decades in the country, is anticipated to average 30 percent in 2018 - equivalent to 2017, and down to 28 percent in 2019.
'The mix of energy sources used for producing electricity generation continues to shift in response to changes in fuel costs and the development of renewable energy technologies,' the EIA said in a statement.
'EIA expects the cost of natural gas for electricity generation to remain relatively competitive with coal-fired electricity over the next two years,' it added.
The average cost of natural gas delivered to generators this year is estimated to fall 2 percent, while the cost of delivered cost is expected to rise 5 percent, according to the EIA.
'Power plant operators are scheduled to bring 20 gigawatts (GW) of new natural gas-fired generating capacity online in 2018, which, if realized, would be the largest increase in natural gas capacity since 2004,' the statement said.
'In contrast, about 13 GW of coal-fired capacity are scheduled for retirement in 2018,' it added.
In addition, the EIA said it forecasts the share of non-hydro renewables in the U.S.' annual electricity generation surpassing the level of 10 percent for the first time next year.
By Ovunc Kutlu in New York
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr