South Carolina Energy Summary
This page provides a summary of energy in South Carolina. Here you will find an overview of energy consumption, listing of energy efficiency goals under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), a summary of the status of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, and a list of political leaders and state agency administrators who shape energy policy for South Carolina. You can link to the following subheadings on this page:
- Executive summary
- Economic and demographic facts that affect energy consumption
- Status of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies
Executive Summary
Total Energy Consumption per Capita 1980 - 2005 and EPAct Goal for South Carolina
(million Btu)
Section 123 of EPAct requires states to set an energy conservation goal that is 25% below 1990 consumption. DOE is currently considering a per capita goal among other options.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Information Administration State Energy Price, Expenditure, and Consumption Estimates (SEDS) database. Note, that 2005 is the latest year for which state-by-state data is available.
South Carolina has few reserves of fossil fuels. One-half of its electricity comes from nuclear power.
Read a more complete energy summary for South Carolina, including consumption and production statistics for fossil fuels on the DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) South Carolina Energy Profile.
| Total energy consumption per capita | 398 (million Btu) |
State rank | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAct per capita goal for 2012 | 277.5 (million Btu) |
State rank | 20 |
| Average annual increase in total energy consumption | 0.8% | State rank | 7 |
Electricity
Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation
(trillion Btu)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
| Annual growth of electricity consumption | 3.0% | State rank | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity production from nonhydro renewable energy | 1,816 (million kWh) |
State rank | 18 |
South Carolina has a traditional regulated market for electric power. Electricity consumption is growing at 3% per year, which is almost one-third higher than the national average. Meanwhile, the population is growing at a rate that is slightly higher than the national average.
South Carolina has good biomass resources and some wind energy resources offshore. Currently, the state ranks 12th among states with electricity production from biomass. Read more South Carolina electric power and renewable energy statistics published by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Transportation
Motor Gasoline Consumption per Capita 1980 - 2005
(gallons)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
Transportation accounts for 27% of all energy consumption in South Carolina, which makes it the second largest energy-consuming sector of the state economy, after industry. You can find data about the consumption of alternative fuels in South Carolina from the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.
| Motor gasoline consumption per capita | 585 (gallons) |
State rank | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol consumption | 0 (gallons) |
State rank | 9 |
| Number of alternative fuel stations | 151 | State rank | 25 |
| Population | 4,255,000 | State rank | 25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent urban population | 96.6% | State rank | 3 |
| Annual population growth rate | 1.2% | State rank | 18 |
| Per capita personal income | $28,285 | State rank | 44 |
| Gross state product | $149,214 (million) |
State rank | 27 |
Economic and Demographic Facts that Affect Energy Consumption
The following statistics for South Carolina put energy consumption into perspective in the context of the state economy and the size and growth of the population.
Status of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies
South Carolina has the following state-level policies and incentives in place that support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The links give detailed explanations of the policies and incentives published online by the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency:
Building energy codes for energy efficiency
South Carolina’s residential and commercial building energy codes are based on the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code and are mandatory statewide.
Corporate tax credits for renewable energy
South Carolina offers a 25% tax credit for qualifying commercial biomass projects and a 25% tax credit for solar installations.
Loans for energy efficiency
The South Carolina ConserFund Loan Program funds energy efficiency improvements in state agencies, local governments, public colleges and universities, school districts, and nonprofit organizations.
Personal tax credits for renewable energy
South Carolina taxpayers may claim a credit of 25% of the costs of purchasing and installing a solar energy system for heating water, space heating, air cooling, or generating electricity in a building owned by the taxpayer.
State standards for public buildings for energy efficiency
All major facility projects in the state must be designed and constructed to the U.S. Green Building Council LEED-Silver standard or receive at least two globes using the Green Globes rating system.
