U.S. natural gas consumed by electric power plants set a daily record high of 47.2 billion cubic feet (Bcf) on July 27, according to the EIA, citing S&P Global Platts estimates.
Prior to that day, this record stood at 45.4 Bcf and was set on Aug. 6, 2019. According to calculations, that number was exceeded on seven days in July 2020 and one in August, fueled by electricity demand in response to hot weather, among other contributors.
EIA also calculated that on July 27, natural gas–fired generation in the Lower 48 states also reached an all-time high of 316 gigawatts in the late afternoon, according to the Hourly Electric Grid Monitor.
In addition, natural gas weighed $1.73 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for natural gas delivered on that day. Between June 1 and July 30, it was priced at 1.64/MMBtu, the lowest average price for this period since 19
