Released November 13, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
en
Written by Jesse Broehl, News Editor for IIR Energy (Sugar Land, Texas)
After multiple quarters where solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity led new U.S. power generation, natural gas power capacity was on top for third-quarter 2025. Total power generation capacity installed during the quarter was approximately 5 gigawatts (GW), according to IIR Energy's tracking of all power generation projects in the U.S. market.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Plant Database can learn more about plants assessed in this article from a detailed list of profiles. Battery energy-storage systems (BESS) are tracked and compiled separately and can be found here; however, the aggregate data and charts in this article combine power plants with BESS plants with data as of November 6.
Solar PV takes second place in the third quarter, with 1,719 megawatts (MW) installed, representing 34% of the market share. In recent years, solar PV typically has led with more new capacity of any fuel sector installed in any quarter.
BESS units also are seeing rapid growth. BESS now represents large capacities and market shares on a consistent, quarterly basis. Less than a decade ago, no BESS systems were being built. But in the third quarter, 1,096 MW were installed, representing 22% of the market share.
Wind power now consistently falls below solar in quarterly market share, whereas in years past wind typically ahead of solar in installations. The main reasons are that the best sites have already been taken amid decades of wind deployments, and solar is now more competitive as its costs have come down.
In the third quarter, 222 MW were installed via just two wind projects, representing only 4% of the market share. Wind is expected to rebound in the fourth quarter, since wind turbines tend to be built on a seasonal basis, with major construction typically in the second and third quarters. Commissioning usually is completed before winter, when high altitude work is more challenging.
Top owners are tied to the natural gas capacity coming online, with Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the lead. IPA in Utah brought online 840 MW of new gas generation at its Intermountain Generation Station, and the TVA brought online 515 MW at its Johnsonville Combustion Turbines plant in Tennessee. Other owners represent a wide cross section of independent power producers, as shown in the chart.
Key Takeaways
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Summary
After years of trailing solar, natural gas accounted for the most generation capacity additions in the third quarter amid the rising demand for data centers.Natural Gas Returns to the Fore
After multiple quarters where solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity led new U.S. power generation, natural gas power capacity was on top for third-quarter 2025. Total power generation capacity installed during the quarter was approximately 5 gigawatts (GW), according to IIR Energy's tracking of all power generation projects in the U.S. market.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Plant Database can learn more about plants assessed in this article from a detailed list of profiles. Battery energy-storage systems (BESS) are tracked and compiled separately and can be found here; however, the aggregate data and charts in this article combine power plants with BESS plants with data as of November 6.Market Share by Fuel Source Sector
Natural gas-fired facilities led the new plant additions with a total of 2 gigawatts (GW), representing 40% of the market share. The growth in data centers often is cited as a leading reason for this growth. Baseload, dispatchable power is in exceptionally high demand, with gas turbine OEMs sold out into 2030 and beyond.Solar PV takes second place in the third quarter, with 1,719 megawatts (MW) installed, representing 34% of the market share. In recent years, solar PV typically has led with more new capacity of any fuel sector installed in any quarter.
BESS units also are seeing rapid growth. BESS now represents large capacities and market shares on a consistent, quarterly basis. Less than a decade ago, no BESS systems were being built. But in the third quarter, 1,096 MW were installed, representing 22% of the market share.
Wind power now consistently falls below solar in quarterly market share, whereas in years past wind typically ahead of solar in installations. The main reasons are that the best sites have already been taken amid decades of wind deployments, and solar is now more competitive as its costs have come down.
In the third quarter, 222 MW were installed via just two wind projects, representing only 4% of the market share. Wind is expected to rebound in the fourth quarter, since wind turbines tend to be built on a seasonal basis, with major construction typically in the second and third quarters. Commissioning usually is completed before winter, when high altitude work is more challenging.New Plant Locations, Top Owners
The locations for all new gas-fired capacity installed in the third quarter were across 12 states, with Utah leading with 1,040 MW installed, followed by Texas with 1,013 MW and lesser capacity in other states, as shown in the chart.Top owners are tied to the natural gas capacity coming online, with Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the lead. IPA in Utah brought online 840 MW of new gas generation at its Intermountain Generation Station, and the TVA brought online 515 MW at its Johnsonville Combustion Turbines plant in Tennessee. Other owners represent a wide cross section of independent power producers, as shown in the chart.Key Takeaways
- Natural gas led new US. plant additions in the third quarter, totaling 2 GW.
- BESS now represents large capacities and market shares on a consistent basis.
- New gas-fired capacity installed in the third quarter covered 12 states.
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
