In Arkansas, electricity generation in 2024 leaned heavily towards fossil fuels, with more than half of the state's electricity coming from these sources. Gas alone accounted for almost 38%, while coal made up a little over a quarter of the total generation. On the cleaner side, low-carbon electricity comprised slightly more than a third of the generation. Nuclear power was a substantial contributor, equating to just under 25%. Hydropower and solar provided smaller portions of low-carbon electricity, at around 6% and 4% respectively. Meanwhile, biofuels contributed a minimal share of approximately 1%. The dominance of fossil fuels underscores the need for Arkansas to focus on expanding its low-carbon electricity capacity to reduce reliance on environmentally damaging sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Arkansas?
Recent data highlights a concerning trend regarding electricity consumption in Arkansas. The current per capita electricity usage stands at about 19,312 kWh, which is notably below the peak of 22,575 kWh reached in 2018. This decrease shows a reduction of over 3,200 kWh per person. Alarmingly, the low-carbon electricity generation per person has also fallen by approximately 777 kWh compared to its previous high in 2004. This stagnation in low-carbon electricity, especially in an era where clean energy is crucial to combating climate change and air pollution, underlines the urgency of active measures to reverse these declines and ensure energy stability and sustainability in the state.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Arkansas should look towards expanding its nuclear and solar infrastructure. Given the significant role nuclear energy already plays in the state's overall electricity mix, further development in this area could substantially enhance low-carbon electricity output. Additionally, embracing solar energy, as seen in regions such as Nevada, where solar accounts for a significant portion of electricity, can diversify Arkansas's energy portfolio. Learning from states like South Carolina and Illinois, where nuclear energy constitutes a major part of energy generation, can provide Arkansas with valuable insights into optimizing its nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, the successes of France and Slovakia could illustrate pathways to greater nuclear energy integration, while Lebanon's solar advancements offer a roadmap for expanding solar capacity.
History
Looking back at Arkansas's history of low-carbon electricity generation, the past two decades have been marked by fluctuations. In the mid-2000s, nuclear generation saw a few ups and downs with notable declines, particularly in 2005 with a reduction of 1.8 TWh—not helping in building a robust low-carbon profile back then. The late 2000s and early 2010s had similar seesaw patterns in nuclear output, with a significant drop of 3.5 TWh in 2013 that needed recovery which was temporarily achieved in 2014. The entry of solar energy in 2024 added a fresh 1.4 TWh to the mix, hinting at promising diversification. Nonetheless, consistent support and expansion of nuclear and solar energy are paramount for building a stable low-carbon electricity infrastructure in Arkansas's future.