Ameer Randolph
Virginia's energy sources are varied, with natural gas, nuclear power, coal, petroleum, and renewable sources, including solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power, all contributing to the state's energy mix. In 2023, natural gas accounted for 55% of Virginia's total in-state electricity net generation, while nuclear power supplied 32%, renewables provided 12%, coal fueled 2%, and petroleum made up the rest. The state is a major coal producer, with the Norfolk Customs District handling about one-third of the nation's coal exports in 2023. Virginia also produces natural gas and small amounts of petroleum, with the state accounting for about one-tenth of the nation's coalbed methane production. The electric power sector is Virginia's largest natural gas consumer, and natural gas use in this sector has more than doubled since 2013. While Virginia has minor crude oil reserves and production, the transportation sector is the largest end-use energy consumer, responsible for over 40% of the state's total end-use consumption, primarily consuming liquid fuels derived from petroleum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Generation from Fossil Fuels | 59% from natural gas, 2% from coal, and a small amount from petroleum |
| Electricity Generation from Nuclear Power | 32% |
| Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources | 12% from solar energy, biomass, and hydroelectric power |
| Major Coal Producer and Exporter | Handles about one-third of the nation's coal exports |
| Natural Gas Production | More than four-fifths from coalbeds |
| Crude Oil Production | Very small amount from two counties in the southwestern corner of the state |
| Biomass Resources | Wood and wood waste account for about three-fifths of the state's biomass-fueled generating capacity |
| Biodiesel Consumption | Consumes more than 11 million gallons of biodiesel annually |
| Fuel Ethanol Consumption | Accounts for about 3% of the nation's fuel ethanol consumption |
| Energy Consumption by Sector | Transportation sector is the largest consumer, responsible for over 40% of the state's total end-use consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Virginia's energy sources
Virginia is a major coal producer, with most of the state's coal located in the Appalachian region, which occupies much of western Virginia. The state also produces natural gas and small amounts of petroleum, with minor crude oil reserves. In 2023, Virginia's Norfolk Customs District handled about one-third of the nation's coal exports, the largest share handled by any port.
Renewable energy sources, including solar energy, biomass, and hydroelectric power, provided 12% of the state's electricity supply in 2023. Virginia's forest biomass resources provide the feedstock for the state's seven wood pellet manufacturing plants, which can produce nearly one million tons of wood pellets per year. Wood pellets are used for heating and to generate electricity. The state also has significant offshore wind energy potential.
The electric power sector is Virginia's largest natural gas consumer, accounting for 59% of the state's deliveries in 2023. The industrial sector made up 18% of natural gas deliveries, the residential sector 12%, the commercial sector almost 11%, and the transportation sector a small amount. Virginia has 25 compressed natural gas vehicle fuelling stations, with 7 accessible to the public.
Virginia's 2022 Energy Plan recognises the following five principles as part of ensuring energy access for all Virginians: reliability, affordability, innovation, competition, and environmental stewardship.
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Coal exports
Virginia's Norfolk Customs District, which includes Hampton Roads, Norfolk, and Newport News, handled about one-third of the nation's coal exports in 2023, making it the largest coal exporter in the country. The state has 41 operating coal mines, accounting for slightly more than 1% of the nation's total coal reserves and about 2% of US coal production. Virginia's coal exports are primarily metallurgical, with major customers in industrialized European nations like Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. Additionally, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea are also significant purchasers of Virginia's metallurgical coal, which is used in automobile manufacturing.
The majority of Virginia's coal mines are located in the southwestern region of the state, known as the Southwest Virginia Coalfield. This region contains extensive deposits of low- to medium-volatile bituminous coal, which is suitable for a range of primary uses, including electricity generation and manufacturing coke, a crucial component in steel production. The Valley Coalfields, another coal-producing region in Virginia, includes eleven distinct areas with coal deposits ranging from medium-volatile bituminous to semi-anthracite.
While Virginia exports a significant portion of its coal, a substantial amount is also used domestically within the state. In 2023, Virginia consumed nearly 1.9 million tons of coal, with more than one-third of the state's coal being distributed and utilized within Virginia itself. The state's electric power sector is a major consumer of coal, with coal-fired power plants supplying the largest share of Virginia's net generation until 2009, after which coal's contribution decreased in favor of natural gas-fired generation.
The coal industry in Virginia has faced challenges in recent years, with a decline in coal-mining jobs and increasing competition from other energy sources. However, Virginia continues to play a significant role in the nation's coal exports and energy landscape, with coal still contributing, although to a lesser extent, to the state's electricity generation.
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Natural gas and nuclear power
In 2023, natural gas accounted for 55% of Virginia's total in-state electricity net generation, while nuclear power supplied 32%. The state's two nuclear power plants produce over 95% of Virginia's carbon-free electricity. The electric power sector is Virginia's largest natural gas consumer, accounting for 59% of the state's deliveries in 2023. Natural gas use in that sector has more than doubled since 2013. The industrial sector made up 18% of Virginia's natural gas deliveries, while the residential sector, where one in three households use natural gas for home heating, accounted for 12%. A small amount of natural gas is used as vehicle fuel.
Virginia has been a pioneer in nuclear energy since 1957 when the SM-1 Nuclear Reactor in Fort Belvoir became the first atomic power generator to produce electrical energy for the US power grid. The state is now set to be home to the world's first commercial fusion power plant, marking a new era in clean energy production. Virginia is also building a Small Modular Reactor (SMR), making it the first state to adopt this innovative technology.
Virginia's nuclear power plants are located in Surry and North Anna. The state's nuclear power generation is supported by initiatives like the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority (VNECA) and the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC), which were created in 2013 as part of the state's long-term commitment to nuclear innovation.
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Energy consumption
Virginia's energy sources are varied, including fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, and renewable energy sources. In 2023, natural gas accounted for 55% of Virginia's total in-state electricity net generation, with nuclear power supplying 32% and renewables (mostly solar energy and biomass) providing 12%. Coal fuelled 2%, and petroleum supplied most of the remainder.
The state's two nuclear power plants supplied 32% of its electricity in 2023. Virginia's forest biomass resources provide the feedstock for the state's seven wood pellet manufacturing plants, which can produce nearly one million tons of wood pellets per year. Wood pellets are used for heating and to generate electricity. The state also has one biodiesel plant with a production capacity of about 5 million gallons per year, but it consumes more than 11 million gallons of biodiesel annually.
The electric power sector is Virginia's largest natural gas consumer, accounting for 59% of the state's deliveries in 2023. The industrial sector made up 18% of deliveries, the residential sector 12%, and the commercial sector almost 11%. A small amount went to the transportation sector for use as vehicle fuel.
Virginia's predominant primary energy product is coal, and the state is a major producer. The Appalachian region, which occupies much of western Virginia, contains most of the state's coal. The state's Norfolk Customs District handled about one-third of the nation's coal exports in 2023, the largest share handled by any port. However, coal-fired power plants have been in decline since 2009, with natural gas-fired generation increasing.
Virginia is also a producer of natural gas, with most of the state's natural gas fields located in the Appalachian Plateau, which cuts across the southwestern corner of the state. In 2023, more than four-fifths of Virginia's natural gas production came from coal beds, and the state accounted for about one-tenth of the nation's total coal bed methane production.
The transportation sector is the largest end-use energy consumer in Virginia, responsible for over 40% of the state's total end-use consumption. It primarily consumes energy as liquid fuels derived from petroleum. The residential and commercial sectors each depend on electricity for more than 50% of their total energy consumption.
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Energy innovation
Virginia's energy sources are varied, and the state has a diverse energy mix. In 2023, natural gas accounted for 55% of Virginia's total in-state electricity net generation, with nuclear power supplying 32%, renewables 12% (mostly solar energy and biomass), and coal at 2%. The state also has some minor crude oil reserves and is a producer of small amounts of petroleum. Virginia's energy profile is thus heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and coal, with coal-fired power plants supplying the largest share of the state's net generation until 2009.
However, Virginia is also embracing energy innovation and renewable energy sources. The state has significant offshore wind energy potential, and its widely distributed forests hold abundant biomass resources. Wood and wood waste are the most common forms of biomass used for electricity generation, and the state also has a biodiesel plant. Virginia's Bath County Pumped Storage Station is the largest power plant in the state by capacity and is the largest pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in the US.
To ensure energy access for all Virginians, the Commonwealth's 2022 Energy Plan recognizes six principles: reliability, affordability, innovation, competition, and environmental stewardship. The plan aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of Virginia's electric grid, keep energy prices affordable, embrace new renewable energy technologies, provide Virginians with more choices in their energy sources, and protect the state's natural resources.
Demand response programs have been implemented by some energy providers, offering incentives for commercial and residential consumers to lower their power usage during periods of high demand. This improves the overall efficiency of the electricity system and can help to reduce strain on the power grid. Virginia also has 25 compressed natural gas vehicle fueling stations, with 7 accessible to the public, and the state accounts for about 3% of the nation's fuel ethanol consumption.
Overall, while Virginia currently relies significantly on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and coal, the state is also investing in energy innovation and renewable energy sources. The Commonwealth's 2022 Energy Plan outlines a commitment to improving energy access, affordability, and sustainability for Virginians.
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Frequently asked questions
The primary fossil fuels in Virginia are coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
In 2023, natural gas accounted for 55% of Virginia's total in-state electricity net generation, while coal fuelled almost 2%. However, this does not include the use of fossil fuels in the transport sector, where petroleum is the dominant fuel.
Virginia's energy consumption is more than twice its energy production.
Virginia is shifting away from coal towards natural gas and renewable energy sources. The state's 2022 Energy Plan also includes a focus on innovation and environmental stewardship, aiming to bring the Commonwealth to the forefront of energy innovation by embracing new renewable energy technologies.
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