Over the past twelve months, from June 2024 to May 2025, electricity consumption in Alaska has relied heavily on fossil fuels, with over two-thirds of the electricity generated from such sources. Gas makes up more than 40% of this consumption, while oil and coal contribute around 15% and nearly 12%, respectively. Despite these figures, low-carbon energy holds just over 30% of Alaska's electricity generation. Hydropower accounts for a significant portion of this, comprising almost 29%, with wind energy contributing close to 1.5%. This distribution highlights Alaska's continued dependence on fossil fuels, underscoring an urgent need to transition towards more sustainable electricity sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Alaska?
Examining the growth of electricity consumption in Alaska indicates a downward trend. The latest total electricity consumption records approximately 8600 kWh per person, a notable decline from the previous peak of just over 10,000 kWh per person in 2007. Despite this general decrease, Alaska has seen a small but encouraging rise in low-carbon electricity. The latest generation from low-carbon sources is nearly 2700 kWh per person, which is a slight increase from the 2020 record of 2635 kWh per person. Although the rise in low-carbon usage is a positive development, the overall decline in electricity consumption is alarming, especially as the need for electrification grows with advancing technology and AI.
Suggestions
Alaska can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by learning from regions with higher success in this area. States like Iowa and South Dakota have embraced wind power, generating more than 60% of their electricity from wind energy. Similarly, countries like France and Slovakia have made nuclear a major component, with nuclear energy comprising over 60% of their electricity production. These examples highlight the potential benefits for Alaska in expanding both wind and nuclear power. Moreover, tapping into solar energy should also be considered, as seen in states like Nevada, which generates nearly 30% of its electricity from solar power. By diversifying its energy sources and embracing both nuclear and solar, Alaska can significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and increase its clean energy capacity.
History
Historically, Alaska's low-carbon electricity has been dominated by hydropower. From the early 2000s to 2025, hydropower has seen small fluctuations, with slight increases and decreases in generation. Notable changes include minor increases in 2009, 2012, 2014, and again in 2025, reflecting a relatively stable yet modest growth pattern over the years. Wind energy made its first notable appearance in 2013, indicating Alaska's initial steps towards diversifying its low-carbon portfolio. However, these developments underscore a rather stagnant focus on the same energy sources, which could benefit from a more robust inclusion of nuclear and solar energy to ensure a sustainable and secure electricity future.