Rajan Wilcox
Oregon's energy resources are diverse, with hydropower, coal, and natural gas being the main fuels used to generate electricity. In 2024, hydroelectric power accounted for about 41% of Oregon's total electricity generation, with natural gas-fired power plants providing 38% of the state's total net generation. Oregon has also been increasing its use of renewable energy sources, with wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power providing almost all of the state's remaining generation at 21% in 2024. While Oregon does not have any coal mines, it has imported coal and natural gas to fuel its power plants. With the adoption of the Climate Protection Program and the 100% Clean Electricity Bill in 2021, Oregon is committed to transitioning to emission-free electricity by 2040.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Generation in 2023 | 42.1% hydroelectric, 38.1% natural gas, 14.7% wind, 3.2% solar, 1.6% biomass, and 0.4% geothermal |
| Electricity Generation in 2019 | Second largest generator of hydroelectric power in the US |
| Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation | Natural gas, coal |
| Biomass Sources | Wood and wood waste |
| Number of Biomass Facilities | 11 |
| Number of Biogas Facilities | 30 |
| Petroleum and Coal Imports | All petroleum and coal is imported |
| Natural Gas Imports | Most natural gas is imported |
| Climate Protection | Adopted the Climate Protection Program and passed the 100% Clean Electricity Bill in 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon's energy mix includes natural gas, coal, and oil
Natural gas is used directly for residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation purposes. There are 13 natural gas electricity generation facilities in Oregon, with a combined capacity of 4,354 MW. These plants provide a steady, efficient, and reliable source of energy during periods of high demand or when renewable sources like solar and wind energy are unavailable.
Oregon has a history of coal-fired power plants, with the last Oregon-based plant closing in October 2020, 20 years ahead of schedule. Additionally, PGE, a utility company in Oregon, has a partial stake in the Colstrip coal plant in Eastern Montana and plans to exit its ownership by the end of 2029, as mandated by Oregon state law.
Oregon also has a diverse range of renewable energy sources, including hydropower, solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal. In 2023, hydroelectric power accounted for 42.1% of the state's electrical energy generation, while solar and wind contributed 3.2% and 14.7%, respectively. Biomass, derived from wood and wood waste, is Oregon's greatest source of biomass, used for electricity generation, space heating, cooking, and transportation. The state has 11 biomass and 30 biogas operating facilities that convert waste products into electricity.
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The state's electricity generation from hydropower
Oregon generates electricity from a variety of resources, including hydropower, natural gas, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power. In 2022, Oregon's 105 hydroelectric facilities were responsible for 51% of the electricity generated in the state, making it the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the US after Washington. The state's four largest electricity-generating facilities are federally owned and operated dams on the Columbia River, which spans the Oregon-Washington border. These four facilities account for two-thirds of the generating capacity of the state's 10 largest power plants.
Hydropower has long been a significant source of electricity in Oregon. In 2023, hydroelectric power accounted for 42.1% of the state's electricity generation mix, and in 2024, it made up about 41%. Oregon's renewable energy portfolio standard, passed in 2021, requires that at least 50% of the electricity sold in Oregon come from renewable sources by 2040. The state's abundance of renewable electricity is used locally and sold to other states, with 37% of its hydropower exported in 2022.
Oregon's hydropower facilities vary in size and ownership. While the four largest facilities are federally owned, there are also numerous smaller hydroelectric plants along Oregon's rivers that contribute to the state's power supply. The state's hydropower potential is closely linked to its geographic features, with many plants located on major rivers like the Columbia.
The development and utilization of hydropower in Oregon have contributed to the state's overall energy profile and renewable energy goals. In 2022, 69% of the electricity generated in Oregon came from non-greenhouse gas-emitting resources, showcasing the state's commitment to clean energy. Oregon's hydropower infrastructure plays a crucial role in achieving this balance between meeting energy demands and reducing environmental impact.
Oregon's hydropower sector faces various challenges and opportunities. The state's diverse energy resources, including wind, solar, and geothermal, contribute to a more flexible and sustainable energy grid. Additionally, Oregon's Clean Energy Targets bill, passed in 2021, sets ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, further emphasizing the importance of hydropower in the state's transition to cleaner energy sources.
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Sources of renewable electricity in Oregon
Oregon has a diverse energy portfolio, with a focus on renewable sources. In 2023, the state's electrical energy generation mix included significant proportions of renewable sources such as hydroelectric power (42.1%), wind power (14.7%), solar power (3.2%), biomass (1.6%), and geothermal energy (0.4%).
Hydropower is one of Oregon's most important renewable energy sources, contributing over 40% of its electricity generation in 2023. The state was the second-largest generator of hydroelectric power in the United States in 2019, and its abundance of hydropower resources enables it to export significant amounts of renewable electricity.
Wind power is another key renewable energy source for Oregon, making up almost 15% of its electrical energy generation in 2023. The state benefits from strong wind resources, particularly in its eastern regions, and wind energy is expected to continue growing as a proportion of Oregon's energy mix.
Solar energy is also becoming increasingly important in Oregon. While it contributed 3.2% of the state's electricity generation in 2023, this figure is expected to grow with the development of additional solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. Small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered an additional net 515 GWh to Oregon's electrical grid in 2023, showcasing the potential of distributed solar generation.
Biomass, which includes wood and wood waste, is Oregon's greatest source of biomass energy and is used for electricity generation, space heating, cooking, and transportation. The state has 11 biomass and 30 biogas operating facilities that convert waste products into electricity. Biomass generated 2% of Oregon's renewable-sourced electricity in 2024, and about 1% of the state's total net generation.
Geothermal energy, while a small proportion of Oregon's current energy mix, is another renewable source that the state is exploring.
In addition to these renewable sources, Oregon also imports natural gas, petroleum, and coal to meet its energy needs. However, the state is committed to increasing its renewable energy portfolio. In 2021, Oregon's legislature passed the Clean Energy Targets bill, aiming for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. The state's renewable energy portfolio standard requires that at least 50% of the electricity sold in Oregon come from renewable sources by 2040.
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Fossil fuels and nuclear energy generation
In 2023, Oregon's electrical energy generation mix was 38.1% natural gas, 11.6% fossil fuels, 42.1% hydroelectric, 14.7% wind, 3.2% solar, 1.6% biomass, and 0.4% geothermal. Notably, Oregon was one of the top five US states in its share of renewable electricity generation in 2019, and it continues to make progress in this area. For example, in 2021, Oregon adopted the Climate Protection Program and passed the 100% Clean Electricity Bill, which requires utilities to show how they will provide power without burning fossil fuels. Indeed, Oregon closed its last coal-fired power plant in October 2020, 20 years ahead of schedule.
Natural gas is used directly for residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation purposes. There are 13 natural gas electricity generation facilities with a combined capacity of 4,354 MW. Oregon also has 11 biomass and 30 biogas operating facilities that convert waste products into electricity. Wood and wood waste are the state's greatest sources of biomass.
Nuclear energy generation is also present in Oregon, although it is not explicitly stated how much nuclear energy is generated in the state.
Oregon imports all its petroleum and coal and almost all of the natural gas used to generate electricity. Fossil fuels are extracted from beneath the Earth's crust and include gasoline, diesel, heating oil, lubricants, and other fuels used for space heating, industrial equipment, and transportation.
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Oregon's plans to exit coal-fired power plants
Oregon has made strong commitments to clean up its electric grid by transitioning away from burning fossil fuels. In 2020, Portland General Electric closed its Boardman coal-fired power plant in Eastern Oregon. This was the last coal-fired power plant operating within the state.
Before the Boardman plant closed, coal-fired power made up roughly 15% of PGE's power mix. The company had already significantly reduced the plant's mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions over the past decade to reduce haze and air pollution in the surrounding area. They also planned to install new emissions controls to remove mercury and SO2, as well as new low-NOx burners to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen.
With the closure of the Boardman plant, Oregon is now focused on replacing the lost coal power with renewable energy sources. The state has made big investments in wind and solar power. In 2023, small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered an additional net 515 GWh to the state's electrical grid. This is less than one-third of the amount generated by Oregon's utility-scale photovoltaic plants. In 2022, Oregon's net generation was 61,317 GWh, with 38.1% coming from natural gas, 14.7% from wind, and 3.2% from solar.
Oregon has also passed laws to commit to getting 100% of its electricity from clean sources by 2040, one of the most ambitious timelines in the country. The state has a mandate for utilities to eliminate coal-fired power imports from other states by 2035.
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Frequently asked questions
Oregon's fuel mix includes fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. In 2020, the state's fuel mix was about 26.47% coal and 21.5% natural gas. However, Oregon's last coal-fired power plant was closed in 2020.
An example of a natural gas-fired power plant in Oregon is the Colstrip coal plant in Eastern Montana, in which PGE has a partial stake.
Besides fossil fuels, Oregon generates electricity from hydropower, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power.
In 2024, non-hydroelectric renewable resources provided almost all of Oregon's total generation, at 21%. In 2023, the electrical energy generation mix was 42.1% hydroelectric, 14.7% wind, 3.2% solar, 1.6% biomass, and 0.4% geothermal.
In 2021, Oregon passed the 100% Clean Electricity Bill, requiring utilities to show how they will provide power without burning fossil fuels. By 2040, Oregon's two major electricity providers, Pacific Power and Portland General Electric, must run on 100% emission-free electricity.
