In 2025, fossil sources supplied about 61% of Alabama’s electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources supplied the remaining 39%. Gas accounted for almost 46% and coal for about 15%, meaning fossil electricity still dominated. Nuclear was the backbone of clean electricity, supplying about 30% of the total, followed by hydropower at nearly 6% and biofuels at just over 2%. Increasing low-carbon electricity would help Alabama reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and their associated climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in Alabama?

The latest figures do not show growth in Alabama’s electricity consumption per person. Consumption reached about 27,400 kWh per person in 2025, roughly 300 kWh—or 1%—below the record set in 2024. Low-carbon electricity generation stood at about 10,700 kWh per person, around 690 kWh—or 6%—below its 2023 peak. These declines are concerning as electrification and growing AI demand increase the need for abundant clean electricity. However, per-person figures alone do not establish whether Alabama’s total electricity consumption or generation declined.

Suggestions

Alabama can increase low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its existing nuclear capacity and developing additional nuclear and solar projects. The nearby US state of South Carolina, where nuclear supplies about 52% of electricity, offers a particularly relevant example; France, at about 67%, also demonstrates nuclear’s potential to anchor a clean electricity system. For solar, Alabama can learn from the US state of Florida, where solar supplies about 11% of electricity, and from the US states of Nevada and California, at about 35% and 31%, respectively. Wind could provide another contribution where suitable: the US states of Oklahoma and Texas generate about 45% and 22% of their electricity from wind. These examples support a strategy centered on expanding nuclear and solar, with wind complementing them where local conditions allow.

History

The supplied history covers 2024–2025 and shows a disappointing retreat in Alabama’s low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear output fell by 1.1 TWh in 2024 and another 1.8 TWh in 2025—a combined decline of 2.9 TWh that deserves urgent attention rather than acceptance as a continuing trend. Hydropower also declined slightly, by 0.1 TWh in each year. Biofuel generation increased by 0.1 TWh in 2024 and was unchanged in 2025, leaving the combined changes across these sources negative in both years. Reversing the decline in nuclear output and adding new clean generation should be priorities for restoring growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade