2. California
Net electricity generation 2015 (thousand MWh): 13,808
Net electricity generation, September 2016 (thousand MWh): 2297
The greatest share of electricity, three-fifths of total generation, is provided by natural gas fueled plants. The rest is obtained from nuclear power and hydropower plants. Four years ago electricity generated from nuclear power almost halved because two reactors in the San Onofre plant were shut down. At the same time production of hydroelectricity varies due to weather conditions. When there is enough precipitation, hydroelectricity can account for one-fourth of total electrical energy. However in 2015 hydroelectricity’s share in total electricity dropped to one-tenth because of drought. When weather interferes with electricity production from hydropower, California relies on other renewable resources such as solar and wind energy.
