In the year between September 2024 and August 2025, California's electricity consumption presents a vibrant picture of diversity. More than half of the electricity generated, specifically 52%, comes from low-carbon sources. Within these, solar power takes the lead with over 21% of the share, followed by hydropower which stands at almost 11%. Nuclear power contributes 7%, forming a solid backbone of consistently reliable electricity. Wind and geothermal together provide about 10%, marking significant steps towards a sustainable future. Despite these achievements, nearly a third of California's electricity, around 31%, still comes from gas-powered fossil sources, a reminder of the ongoing challenge to minimize climate-threatening emissions.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in California?
Looking at the progression over time, California's electricity consumption tells a slightly concerning story. The latest data reveals a decline in total per-person electricity consumption, down to 6,477 kWh in 2025 from the 7,711 kWh per person observed back in 2008. This reflects a drop of 19%, which can be seen as a decrease in industrial activity, efficiency improvements, or a redirection of demand to other areas. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope on the low-carbon front: each person's low-carbon electricity use has reached 3,349 kWh in 2025, a gentle rise from 3,224 kWh in 2024, marking an increase of 125 kWh per person. This illustrates a growing commitment to sustainable energy despite the overall decline in electricity usage.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation further, California should strategically scale up solar energy efforts, leveraging its abundant sunshine as a natural resource. Additionally, looking to regions that boast high proportions of low-carbon electricity can be instructive. For instance, France, Slovakia, and Ukraine achieve remarkably high nuclear energy shares, ranging from 55% to 69%, presenting a strong case for California to consider expanding its nuclear portfolio. On the wind energy front, states like Iowa and South Dakota have made impressive strides, with more than half of their electricity generated through wind power. Learning from these examples, California has the opportunity to reinforce its clean energy leadership through investments in both solar and nuclear energy expansion, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
History
Over the years, California's low-carbon electricity generation has seen its share of dynamic shifts. In the mid-2000s, both hydro and nuclear energy saw significant increases, notably with hydro growing by 6.4 TWh in 2005 and nuclear by 5.9 TWh. However, this was followed by a sharp decline in hydro, especially in 2007 when it plummeted by 20.5 TWh. In 2012, nuclear energy faced a substantial setback with an 18.2 TWh drop, marking a critical point for the state's clean energy efforts. The 2010s experienced periods of both recovery and decline for hydro, while solar energy began its consistent rise, hitting a notable 6.1 TWh increase by 2014. More recently, between 2023 and 2025, solar energy has further expanded, progressively adding 7.4 TWh in 2024 and 5.9 TWh in 2025. California's history showcases a story of resilience and dedication to improving clean electricity generation, a legacy it should continue to nurture.
