Preliminary Power Production, Fuel Consumption, and Installed Capacity Data for 1978

摘要

This Energy Data Report shows statistics for 1978 on electric utility and industrial installed capacity and power production. Also included are consumption and stocks of fossil fuels for electic utilities. The installed generating capacity of the Nation's electric utilities reached a record level of 579,156.9 during 1978, up 3.4% from 560,202.0 MW in 1977. Electric energy production by power plants of industrial establishments was 79.4 million MWh in 1978, a decrease of 9.5% from the 87.7 million MWh produced in 1977. To produce electric energy in 1978, utilities burned 481.7 million tons of coal, 0.9% above the 477.2 million tons consumed in 1977; 635.0 million barrels in 1977; and 3,188.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas, 0.1% below the 3,191.2 billion cubic feet consumed in 1977. In March 1978, coal stocks dropped to a low of 77.2 million tons during the United Mine Workers coal strike and then rose to a level of 129.6 million tons in November. End of year 1978 coal stock levels decreased 3.6 percent below the December 31, 1977 level of 133.3 million tons. Oil stocks reached 139.1 million barrels in July 1978, an increase of 7.8 percent above the July 1977 level. (ERA citation 05:033732)