Generation

Coal is the primary fuel used to generate electricity in Maryland, with nuclear power being the second largest generation source. Maryland generates a larger portion of its electricity from coal and nuclear fuel than the United States as a whole, while natural gas is used by power plants to a larger extent in other areas of the country compared to Maryland.

Electric Generation (Energy Use) by Fuel Type for the US, the PJM Region, and Maryland (2007)

* Other capacity includes renewable generators, as well as waste, chemical, and other miscellaneous generation sources.
Source: Energy Information Administration and PJM-2007 State of the Market Report

The PSC has received more than 20 CPCN applications over the past eight years, representing several thousand megawatts of potential new generating capacity. While the majority of these proposed plants did obtain a CPCN, only 10 are now in operation, with the remainder being delayed or abandoned because of various financial or commercial reasons. The largest new project currently under consideration is the proposed third nuclear unit at the Calvert Cliffs site, with a net electrical output of about 1600 MW. If this project receives a CPCN (as well as all other necessary approvals) and is ultimately constructed, it would increase the existing generating capacity in Maryland by as much as 12%. The table on page 11 lists all generating units in Maryland that contribute 2 MW or more of capacity to the regional power grid.

In addition to centralized generating stations, distributed generation is becoming more widespread. Distributed generation generally refers to electricity generating equipment that is installed on the customer side of the meter and is typically used to serve on-site power needs. Distributed generators are not centrally dispatched by the regional grid operator. Distributed generation technologies include combustion engines, small wind, solar, small hydroelectric, and fuel cells, and can be used to displace electricity from the grid during times of peak demand.

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