Oil companies could see profits boost as renewables and renewables-fueled vehicles fuel US economy
By 2020, about 60% of US energy consumption will come from renewables, and as the US economy grows, so too will the amount of renewable energy being pumped into the grid, according to a new report from energy consultancy EIA.
While that shift has been a long time coming, the report finds that it’s already happening, with solar, wind and other renewable sources powering up to 10% of total US energy generation in 2020, the highest percentage in 20 years.
The report also finds that energy consumption from oil, gas and coal is likely to grow, albeit at a slower rate than expected.
That’s because oil companies will need to shift production away from oil-rich areas in order to meet demand.
In 2020, oil companies are projected to pump 1.4 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), up from about 1.1 million bpd in 2019.
That growth will help offset the impact of higher fuel prices from rising greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the EIA report also suggests that the energy revolution could be slow to take off.
The EIA forecasts that by 2030, US oil and gas production will peak and decline. “
A number of factors could cause the pace to slow down, such as technological improvements, regulatory constraints, market uncertainty, and natural variability.”
The EIA forecasts that by 2030, US oil and gas production will peak and decline.
It also notes that the US will be producing more electricity, but with a lower share of renewables.
That could lead to lower growth in the amount Americans use of the grid in 2020.
The EIA expects that by 2025, US electricity demand will be equal to about half the amount that was in 2020 and 2030.
That will help to reduce the amount the US uses of fossil fuels.