Report: U.S. Steelmakers Will Need 174 Terawatt-Hours of Electricity by 2050
11/18/2024 - Green energy needs steel. And steel need green energy. But just how much?
A lot. To be specific, 174 terawatt hours of electricity annually by 2050, according to a new report from the Clean Energy Buyers Association.
According to the group, the figure represents an 159 TWh increase from business as usual practices and necessitates at least 28 gigawatts of solar and wind resources and 58 gigawtts of battery storage by 2050, as well as interregional transmission reform.
“A growing number of corporations are making commitments to purchase steel made through near-zero emissions production processes powered by clean energy,” said Jen Snook, the association’s industrial sector adviser. “State governments, grid operators, and electricity producers should prepare today by securing funding, applying for permits, and collaboratively planning for increased clean energy deployment and expanded regional transmission.”