Number new power plants down in 2009, capacity up

Extreme cold temperatures in the southwestern U.S. is raising concerns over available power generating capacity as some power companies were forced implemented rolling blackouts (link....link...link).

Here's a look at the data.  The number of power plants retired in 2009 exceeded the number of new plants built, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  The November 2010 data shows 114 power plants built in 2009 and 132 retired.  New and retired coal, petroleum, and gas power plants are charted below.  Not charted, but important to the mix now, is the addition of 120 wind generating plants built in 2009, which exceeds the total number of new coal, petroleum, and gas plants combined.

As far as generating capacity, the additional (new) plants in the above chart represent an increase of 12,874 megawatts and retirements represent 7,100 megawatts, for a net gain of 5,774 megawatts in 2009.  With the added generating capacity from wind, another 9,581 megawatts, and other sources, generating capacity increased by 23,144 megawatts in 2009.  Retirements accounts for 7,249 megawatts, providing a net increase of 15,895 megawatts to the nations power system.