Power lines are seen during a heatwave with expected temperatures of 102 F (39 C) in Dallas, Texas, U.S. June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Shelby Tauber/File PhotoRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Record U.S. electricity consumption is driving near-record combustion of gas by power generators, ensuring gas inventories remain under pressure and prices remain high.In common with other parts of the U.S. economy, growth in gas production and the electricity supply has not kept pace with growth in demand after the pandemic, creating ongoing shortages.Net electricity generation between January and April amounted to 1,337 billion kilowatt-hours surpassing the previous seasonal records of 1,331 billion kWh in 2014 and before that 1,319 billion kWh in 2008.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comGas-fired units accounted for 470 billion kWh in the first four months, their second-highest seasonal output after 500 billion kWh in 2020, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).Gas-fired generation is surging this year despite high fuel prices – in contrast to 2020 when the surge was driven by collapsing gas prices, which caused gas generators to run in preference to coal ones.There is not enough spare capacity in the generation system to reduce reliance on gas even as prices rise, especially since many coal units have been decommissioned.(Chartbook: https://tmsnrt.rs/3brXAsL)Natural gas prices actually paid by generators in the first four months of 2022 were more than double those in the corresponding period in 2020 (“Monthly energy review”, EIA, July 26).Gas generators accounted for 35% of all power output in the first four months, compared with 21% from coal, 19% from nuclear, 16% from wind and solar, and 7% from conventional hydro.One consequence is that gas-fired generators consumed 3,832 billion cubic feet of gas in the first four months of the year, second only to 4,083 bcf in 2020, and well above the pre-pandemic five-year average of 3,315 bcf.Gas generators are almost certain to have maintained a record or near-record output and gas consumption in May, June and July, given temperature trends across the Lower 48 states.Temperatures and air-conditioning demand have been persistently above average since May and gas-fired units remain the marginal suppliers to the electricity network ensuring heavy run rates.As a result, there has been a relentless squeeze on gas inventories, which have fallen below the pre-pandemic five-year seasonal average since late January, driven by a combination of higher generation and faster LNG exports.Working gas stocks currently sit 386 billion cubic feet (14%) below the pre-pandemic five-year seasonal average and show no sign of recovering.Gas and electricity shortages are likely to keep prices relatively high throughout winter 2022/23 – especially given ongoing LNG demand from Europe as the region tries to replace Russian gas.Related columns:- U.S. gas prices climb as stocks fail to rebuild fast enough (Reuters, July 29) read more - U.S. gas production must accelerate to meet LNG export demand (Reuters, June 1) read more - Drought adds to pressure on U.S. gas inventories (Reuters, May 27) read more - U.S. gas prices soar as Europe and Asia scramble for LNG (Reuters, May 6) read more John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his ownRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comEditing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.John KempThomson ReutersJohn Kemp is a senior market analyst specializing in oil and energy systems. Before joining Reuters in 2008, he was a trading analyst at Sempra Commodities, now part of JPMorgan, and an economic analyst at Oxford Analytica. His interests include all aspects of energy technology, history, diplomacy, derivative markets, risk management, policy and transitions.
Column: U.S. power producers are consuming near-record volumes of gas.