Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, Florida's electricity consumption has been predominantly fueled by fossil sources, accounting for more than three-quarters of the total consumption. Interestingly, gas alone contributes over two-thirds of this, while coal represents a much smaller fraction, close to 3%. Low-carbon energy, including both nuclear and solar power, makes up just over a fifth of the electricity mix. Among the low-carbon sources, nuclear power provides a little over 10% and solar contributes nearly 10%. Notably, utility-scale solar accounts for the majority of solar generation, while behind-the-meter solar makes up a small portion, slightly under 2%. The remaining electricity comes from net imports, contributing less than 5%, and biofuels, which make up just over 1%. This data underscores the need for Florida to increase its low-carbon electricity share to mitigate the impacts of climate change and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Florida?
Despite this existing energy portfolio, Florida's total electricity consumption per person has not shown growth. In fact, the current consumption stands at 12,008 kWh per person, which is a decrease of 2,083 kWh from the historic high of 14,091 kWh in 2004. However, it's encouraging to see that Florida's low-carbon electricity generation has newly set a record, producing 2,544 kWh per person in 2025, which signifies an increase of 171 kWh from the prior record in 2024. Although this is a positive development for sustainable electricity, the overall decline in electricity usage might be concerning in the context of growing energy demands from technological advancements, such as AI and increased electrification.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Florida should consider expanding its nuclear capacity, as this form of energy is already a significant contributor to the state's clean electricity. Looking at regions with successful strategies can offer valuable insights. For instance, France and Slovakia generate a substantial share of their electricity from nuclear, around 70% and 66% respectively, demonstrating the potential of nuclear energy to lead the way toward sustainability. Additionally, Florida could learn from states like South Carolina and Illinois, where nuclear power contributes to over half of their electricity generation. Furthermore, there is substantial potential for solar expansion, with examples of success from states like Nevada, where solar comprises 33% of electricity generation, and California with nearly 30%. Diversifying Florida's low-carbon energy portfolio by expanding both nuclear and solar capacities will be critical for future growth and sustainability.
History
Looking back at Florida's low-carbon electricity history, the period around 2013 marked a significant rebound for nuclear energy, with a substantial increase of 8.7 TWh in electricity generation. However, prior to and following this, there were occasional declines, such as in 2009 and 2010, where nuclear power generation experienced declines of 3 TWh and 5.2 TWh, respectively. Despite these setbacks, recent years have seen smaller fluctuations, with reasonable growth in the early 2020s. For example, 2022 saw an increase of 1.3 TWh from nuclear sources. Although the most recent years, including 2023 and 2024, indicated slight declines, the trajectory suggests that with renewed focus and investment, Florida can achieve substantial growth in its low-carbon electricity generation. Continued commitment to advancing nuclear and solar technology will ensure Florida remains a leader in sustainable energy production.
