Over the last 12 months, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in Alabama has been heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with over 60% of the state's electricity originating from these sources. Among these, gas stands out as the predominant source, contributing nearly 46%, while coal accounts for approximately 15%. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources contribute to about 39% of Alabama's total electricity production. Nuclear energy leads this group significantly, generating nearly 30% of the state’s electricity, while hydropower and biofuels add their share with around 6% and 2%, respectively. The reliance on fossil fuels means Alabama is still exposed to the negative impacts of carbon emissions and climate change, emphasizing an urgent need for boosting cleaner energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Alabama?
Examining the trend in electricity consumption per person reflects a concerning downtrend. In 2025, electricity consumption in Alabama stood at 27,214 kWh per person, signaling a stark decline of over 5,300 kWh compared to the peak consumption witnessed in 2011. In line with this, low-carbon electricity generation per person has also fallen from its highest point in 2021. The current figure of approximately 10,638 kWh per person marks a decrease of around 1,515 compared to 2021's record. These reductions not only highlight a missed opportunity for cleaner energy adoption but also suggest a broader issue in meeting expanding electricity demands fueled by technological advancements and increasing electrification needs.
Suggestions
To transition toward a greener energy landscape, Alabama should focus on expanding its nuclear capacity, which already serves as a major pillar of the state’s clean energy infrastructure. Drawing inspiration from leading regions could accelerate Alabama’s shift to cleaner energies. For instance, France and Slovakia exemplify how substantial nuclear contributions—70% and 66% respectively—can lead to robust low-carbon electricity sectors. Meanwhile, integrating solar power expansion could be equally transformative, akin to the strides made by Nevada and California, where solar contributes roughly 33% and 29% of electricity, respectively. Additionally, embracing wind energy, as successfully demonstrated by states like Iowa and Kansas, could diversify and stabilize Alabama's energy mix, further reducing dependence on fossil-derived electricity and paving the path for a sustainable energy future.
History
In Alabama's recent history, tracking changes in its low-carbon electricity generation reveals notable fluctuations, particularly in the nuclear and hydropower sectors. In the early 2000s, hydropower experienced declines in several years, such as in 2006 and 2007, with significant reductions of 2.9 TWh and 3.1 TWh, respectively. However, nuclear energy showed promising increases during certain years, such as in 2008 with an impressive rise of 4.7 TWh and again in 2019 with a surge of 4.2 TWh. Despite some setbacks in nuclear generation in 2016 and 2022, there were subsequent rebounds, including a notable increase of 3.3 TWh in 2023. These trends underscore the potential for nuclear power to be a steadfast foundation in the state’s journey towards achieving a higher fraction of clean electricity, urging continuous and intelligent investments to ensure a resilient energy future.
