Over the past twelve months, from September 2024 to August 2025, Arkansas's electricity consumption has shown a noticeable reliance on fossil fuels, which account for more than half of the energy consumed, specifically about 62%. Among these, natural gas forms a substantial 34% and coal almost 28.5%. In contrast, the low-carbon energy sources have proven to be considerably less dominant, totaling nearly 38% of the electricity consumption. Nuclear power leads the low-carbon group providing almost a quarter, while solar energy contributes about 7.5%, primarily from utility-scale sources. Hydropower and biofuels add a smaller share to this clean energy mix with approximately 5% and slightly over 1% respectively.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Arkansas?
Despite the significant role of fossil fuels in its energy mix, the overall electricity consumption in Arkansas has seen a decline compared to past records. As of 2025, each person consumes around 20,506 kWh, showing a reduction of about 2,076 kWh from the highest consumption level recorded in 2018. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of progress in the realm of clean energy, where the generation of low-carbon electricity per person has slightly surpassed the previous record from 2004, indicating an upward trend in sustainable power generation, albeit by a modest margin of 105 kWh per person. These data suggest that while Arkansas is slowly embracing clean energy, it has not yet reversed the overall decrease in electricity consumption.
Suggestions
To bolster its commitment to clean energy, Arkansas could significantly benefit from expanding its existing nuclear facilities, the most substantial low-carbon electricity source in the state currently. Learning from countries like France, where nuclear energy fulfills a remarkable 70% of electricity needs, Arkansas could enhance its supply of low-carbon electricity. Combining this with lessons from states like Nevada and countries like California, where solar is a potent energy source, could amplify its clean energy portfolio. The state could also take cues from neighboring states such as Oklahoma and Kansas, where wind energy plays a critical role in their clean energy strategies, to imagine a future with diversified sources of low-carbon electricity.
History
Historically, Arkansas's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has experienced fluctuations, especially in nuclear power. During the 2000s, it saw notable ups and downs, particularly between 2005 and 2015 with recurrent dips and recoveries in both nuclear and hydroelectric generation. For instance, nuclear generation decreased by 1.8 TWh in 2005, recovered in 2006, but faced another setback in 2008. After a sharp decline in nuclear energy by 3.5 TWh in 2013, a significant recovery occurred in 2014. More recent years have seen minor increases and decreases, with nuclear energy again fluctuating. Such a history underscores the importance of steady investment and expansion, particularly in nuclear energy, to avoid the cyclical setbacks that have characterized the past. By focusing on expanding these clean energy sources, Arkansas can make substantial advances in its green electricity landscape.
