In 2025, Arizona's electricity consumption is quite balanced between fossil fuels and low-carbon sources, with fossil energy accounting for more than half at around 51% and low-carbon energy close to 50%. This balance highlights the state's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Among fossil fuels, gas constitutes a significant portion of electricity generation at 43%, while coal has a much smaller share at nearly 8%. On the low-carbon side, nuclear energy is the largest contributor, providing over a quarter of the electricity at approximately 26%, followed by solar energy. Solar power, divided between utility-scale and behind-the-meter, generates just over 17% in total, showcasing its growing importance in the state's energy mix. The remaining low-carbon electricity comes from hydropower and wind, contributing about 4% and 3% respectively.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Arizona?
Looking at the trends in electricity consumption, Arizona has experienced a slight decrease in overall per capita electricity consumption, with the 2025 figure slightly below the 2024 record at 15972 kWh/person compared to the previous 16020 kWh/person. While overall consumption has decreased, the generation of low-carbon electricity per person has risen significantly, as reflected by the increase from the previous record in 2024 to 7959 kWh/person in 2025. This indicates a positive shift toward more sustainable energy sources, reflecting the state's efforts to meet growing demand and environmental goals. Nevertheless, to keep up with increasing electrification needs and future demand, a continued focus on growth in electricity generation, particularly from clean sources, is crucial.
Suggestions
To further boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Arizona could consider expanding its existing nuclear and solar capacity. The state's current reliance on nuclear energy can be expanded by looking at France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy powers over two-thirds of their electricity needs. Enhancing solar energy could draw inspiration from states like Nevada and California, which generate a significant portion of their electricity from solar power. By adopting and tailoring strategies from these successful regions, Arizona can strengthen its clean electricity sector, further transitioning from fossil fuels and capturing the benefits of sustainable growth as it embraces solar and nuclear energy as the backbone of its electricity grid.
History
Historically, Arizona's low-carbon electricity generation has seen some fluctuations. In previous years, there was a steady increase, with 2024 witnessing a 0.9 TWh rise in nuclear and a 0.8 TWh increase in wind energy. However, the following year, 2025, saw some setbacks in nuclear energy, which declined by 1.1 TWh. While wind continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace, hydropower has seen consistent decreases over the last two years, signifying the challenges the state faces in maintaining and enhancing hydropower generation. These declines, particularly in nuclear energy, are discouraging, and undoubtedly, Arizona needs to cultivate a strategy that ensures consistent growth of low-carbon energy sources, counteracting any negative trends and reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable, clean energy future.
