Over the past 12 months, from September 2024 to August 2025, Alabama's electricity consumption reflects a significant reliance on fossil fuels, with over 60% of electricity generation coming from these sources. Natural gas is particularly dominant, contributing almost 46% to the state's electricity supply, while coal accounts for approximately 15%. On the flip side, low-carbon energy sources form a little less than 40% of Alabama's electricity generation. Nuclear energy is a major player within this category, supplying about 30% of the state's electricity, followed by hydropower at nearly 6% and biofuels contributing around 2%. These figures highlight both the state's heavy dependence on fossil fuels and the vital role that nuclear energy plays in its low-carbon electricity portfolio.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Alabama?
Despite these contributions, Alabama's overall electricity consumption is currently lower than its historic peak. In 2025, electricity consumption per person stands at 27,215 kWh, which is significantly less than the record-high of 32,573 kWh per person witnessed in 2011—a drop of approximately 5,358 kWh per capita. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity generation is also seeing a decline; while the current level is 10,638 kWh per person, it is down by approximately 1,515 kWh from the highest recorded in 2021. This stagnation in electricity and low-carbon electricity generation poses a challenge that Alabama must address to meet future energy demands, especially in light of increasing electrification and technological advances.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity production, Alabama should consider expanding its existing nuclear infrastructure, as nuclear is already a significant part of its electricity mix. Drawing inspiration from regions that have successfully leveraged low-carbon energy, like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for a significant majority—around 69% and 67% respectively—can provide valuable insights. Additionally, Alabama can learn from states such as Nevada and Lebanon, where solar energy plays a significant role, contributing to around 30% and 31% of their electricity supply, respectively. By emulating these successful strategies, Alabama can enhance its clean energy portfolio, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and make significant strides towards a sustainable energy future.
History
Throughout Alabama's electricity history, low-carbon energy generation, particularly from nuclear and hydropower, has seen various shifts. In the mid-2000s, hydropower experienced substantial fluctuations with notable decreases in some years, such as a 3.1 TWh dip in 2007, followed by some recovery in subsequent years. The nuclear sector also faced ups and downs, notably a significant fall of 3.7 TWh in 2022. However, there have been periods of growth, like in 2008 and 2019, where nuclear saw positive gains of 4.7 TWh and 4.2 TWh, respectively. These shifts underline the importance of stabilizing and expanding the state's nuclear capacity to ensure a robust low-carbon electricity supply, crucial for meeting Alabama's future energy needs.
