5 surprising facts about renewable energy growth in Oregon
October 23, 2024
According to Renewables on the Rise 2024, the eighth edition of our annual report on the state of clean energy in America, Oregon now generates 2,208% more solar power and 14.7% more wind power than it did in 2014. This increase means that we can power an additional 318,608 average households each year with clean energy.
Renewables On The Rise Dashboard
Here are five interesting facts about clean energy’s growth in Oregon:
1. Oregon generated more solar energy in 2023 alone than all solar generation before 2019 combined.
Oregon produced 2,401 GWh of solar energy last year, up from 104 GWh in 2014. This was enough to bring us to 17th place in the national solar rankings.
2. There was no reported battery storage capacity in Oregon until 2015, now we’re 20th in the country.
As of 2023, Oregon has installed 0.04 gigawatts of battery storage capacity. This ranks Oregon 20th in the country.
3. There are 60,196 electric vehicles registered in Oregon as of 2023.
The number of EVs has grown 1,666% since 2014. Oregon is ranked 16th in the country in terms of EV growth in the past 10 years.
4. Oregon added 715 EV charging ports in 2023.
This was a 28.9% increase from 2022 and a 229% increase from 2014. Oregon now ranks 18th in the country in EV charging ports installed.
5. Oregon is generating 2.2 times more wind energy than we did in 2010.
Though wind energy was down across the board in 2023, we’ve still seen significant growth in the last 15 years. Oregon is ranked 15th in the country in wind generation.
When we replace fossil fuels with wind turbines and solar panels, and curb wasteful uses of energy, we build a world where the planet and people can thrive.
Celeste Meiffren-Swango
State Director, Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center
Our clean energy growth over the past 10 years has proven the viability and significance of these renewable energy sources. By taking advantage of the opportunities to continue these trends, Oregon can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
What can state and local leaders do to keep renewable energy growing?
State and local governments can support renewable energy by:
- setting renewable energy goals with clear benchmarks
- leveraging federal resources to reach renewable energy goals.
- ensuring that utility policies fairly compensate the owners of renewable energy technologies
- support policies for permitting and interconnection that make adopting renewable energy technologies easier.
- expand efficiency programs, including updating energy codes for buildings and adopting the latest appliance efficiency standards.
You can help renewable energy continue to grow in Oregon by taking action below.
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As director of Environment Oregon, Celeste develops and runs campaigns to win real results for Oregon’s environment. She has worked on issues ranging from preventing plastic pollution, stopping global warming, defending clean water, and protecting our beautiful places. Celeste’s organizing has helped to reduce kids’ exposure to lead in drinking water at childcare facilities in Oregon, encourage transportation electrification, ban single-use plastic grocery bags, defend our bedrock environmental laws and more. She is also the author of the children’s book, Myrtle the Turtle, empowering kids to prevent plastic pollution. Celeste lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband and two daughters, where they frequently enjoy the bounty of Oregon’s natural beauty.
Evan works as a campaign associate and organizer on Environment America’s clean energy campaigns. Evan lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he enjoys running, hiking and tennis.
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