Natural gas fuels the largest share of Nevada’s electricity generation, and 8 of the state’s 10 largest power plants by capacity and 7 of the 10 largest by generation are natural gas-fired. In 2022, natural gas fueled 56% of Nevada’s total in-state electricity generation from both utility-scale (greater than 1 megawatt capacity) and small-scale (less than 1 megawatt capacity) plants. Because Nevada is the driest state in the nation, minimizing the use of scarce water is a priority. The state’s largest generating plant, the 1,100-megawatt Chuck Lenzie Generating Station near Las Vegas, uses high-efficiency natural gas combined-cycle technology and recycles three-fourths of the water it uses. The facility also reduces water use with a dry-cooling system that allows the combined-cycle plant to use 7% as much water as an equivalent conventional water-cooled power plant.

In 2022, renewable energy resources—mainly solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric power—accounted for 37% of Nevada’s total in-state electricity net generation. Solar thermal and utility- and small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) energy together supplied about 23% of the state’s total, while geothermal energy provided 9%. Hoover Dam, one of the nation’s largest hydroelectric dams, is on Nevada’s border with Arizona and has power plants in both states. Hydroelectric power, including Nevada’s share of Hoover Dam, provided about 4% of the state’s total electricity net generation in 2022. Wind and biomass provided the rest of Nevada’s renewable generation. –eia.gov

Energy is among the most misunderstood concepts. Join us at the Energy Exposition & Resources Symposium to expand your knowledge and understanding. Find solutions and meet new colleagues in our ever-expanding energy industries.