Renewables for electricity topped coal big-time in April, helped by mild weather, pandemic and low gas prices

IEEFA chart; click the image to enlarge it.

"Renewables have generated more electricity than coal for the last 40 days," surpassing the previous record of nine consecutive days, Rebecca Beitsch reports for The Hill. "Wind, solar and hydroelectricity have produced more electricity than coal since March 25, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration analyzed by the Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis."

Renewable energy output first topped coal last April, usually a big month for renewables because mild temperatures mean less heating and air conditioning. The pandemic contributed to the streak, causing an overall decline in electricity demand as businesses have temporarily shuttered across the nation. Low natural-gas prices also boosted the trend, Beitsch reports.