Over the past year, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026, Arkansas has relied significantly on fossil fuels for its electricity consumption, with nearly two-thirds of its energy coming from these sources. Gas and coal account for the largest shares, with about 35% and 29% respectively. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources make up a little over a third of the total electricity generation. Among clean energy options, nuclear power is the most prominent contributor, generating almost 22% of the state's electricity. Solar power, including utility-scale solar, and hydropower collectively account for about 13% of electricity generation. Biofuels, though part of the low-carbon group, contribute only a small fraction. This distribution highlights Arkansas's ongoing dependence on fossil fuels, while also indicating a significant, but insufficient, presence of clean energy technologies.

Is Electricity Growing in Arkansas?

Electricity consumption in Arkansas is experiencing an upward trend, as evidenced by the increase in per-person consumption. The state reached a new high of 21,885 kWh per person in 2026, a slight increase from the previous record of 21,619 kWh per person in 2025. This increase demonstrates growth in electricity demand, underscoring the importance of expanding the state's generation capabilities. However, the generation of low-carbon electricity per capita has slightly declined, moving from 7,952 kWh per person in 2025 to 7,919 kWh per person in 2026. This reduction, though minor, is concerning given the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. It emphasizes the necessity for Arkansas to bolster its clean energy output to support both current and future energy demands sustainably.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Arkansas should consider expanding its nuclear power capabilities, which already provide a substantial portion of its green energy. Learning from regions like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy constitutes a significant majority of their electricity generation, can offer valuable insights. These countries have embraced nuclear power to produce more than 60% of their electricity, showcasing the potential of this technology to drastically reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, solar energy holds great promise given its growing role in global energy portfolios. States such as Nevada and California generate over 30% of their electricity from solar power. By drawing inspiration from these successful regions and investing more in nuclear and solar infrastructure, Arkansas can make significant strides towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

History

Looking back at recent history, Arkansas's nuclear sector has seen some fluctuations. In 2024, nuclear and hydropower generation both saw declines, with nuclear dropping by 0.2 TWh and hydropower by 0.1 TWh. However, 2025 marked a recovery, particularly for nuclear energy, which grew by 0.4 TWh, accompanied by slight increases in hydropower and biofuels generation. Unfortunately, this upward trend in nuclear output did not continue into 2026, as it decreased again by 0.4 TWh, alongside another reduction in hydropower output. Conversely, wind energy saw a positive shift with a 0.2 TWh increase. These fluctuations highlight the urgent need for a more stable and committed approach toward expanding nuclear and other low-carbon sources to ensure consistent and robust clean energy growth in Arkansas. By focusing on sustainable energy investment and infrastructure, the state can better navigate these challenges and secure a greener electricity future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Apr 2025 – Mar 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.