Natural gas and wind are expected to be the fastest growing sources for electricity generation in the U.S. in 2019 and 2020, the country's Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Tuesday in a statement.

Natural gas-fired electricity generation in the U.S. is forecast to increase by 6% this year, and by 2% next year, the EIA said.

Electricity generation from wind power is estimated to rise by 6% in 2019, and by 14% in 2020, it added.

Coal-fired electricity generation, on the other hand, is expected to decline by 15% this year, and by 9% next year.

"Growth in natural gas generation is highest in the mid-Atlantic region and growth in wind generation is highest in Texas," the statement said.

In the mid-Atlantic region, the EIA anticipates natural gas to fuel 39% of electricity generation in 2020, which is up from 31% in 2018.

Meanwhile, coal is expected to generate 20% of mid-Atlantic electricity next year, down from 28% in 2018, according to the EIA.

"In 2010, coal fueled 54% of the region’s electricity generation, and natural gas generated 11%," the statement said.

In Texas, 3 GW of wind generating capacity has been added since the beginning of 2018, the EIA said, adding that there are plans to add another 7 GW before the end of 2020.

These additions are expected to make an increase of nearly 50% from the 2017 wind capacity level in Texas, while wind is estimated to supply 20% of the state's total generation this year, and 24% of it next year.

By Ovunc Kutlu

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr