Over the past year, from June 2024 to May 2025, electricity consumption in Florida was heavily reliant on fossil-based energy, accounting for more than three-quarters of the total consumption. Specifically, gas alone contributed approximately 74% of this fossil energy. Clean energy sources, while generating almost 20% of Florida's electricity, still trail behind fossil fuels. Within the clean energy sector, nuclear power was the largest contributor, providing almost 11% of the electricity, while solar power produced nearly 8%. Coal accounted for a small portion, around 3%, of the electricity. Other categories like net imports and biofuels contributed marginally, collectively making up just over 3% of the total electricity consumption. This highlights a significant dependency on fossil energy, which needs addressing to tackle climate change and reduce air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Florida?
Evaluating the growth of electricity consumption in Florida, a downward trend is evident compared to historical peaks. In 2025, the average electricity consumption was 11,466 kWh per person, marking a decrease of approximately 1,800 kWh per person from the record high set in 2005. Despite this overall reduction, there's positive movement in low-carbon electricity generation, which reached a historic high of 2,257 kWh per person in 2025, up by 81 kWh per person from the previous record in 2024. This increase in clean electricity generation is a positive sign, but the overall stagnant or declining consumption pattern might depict a worrying signal that greater efforts are needed to not just expand but dynamically support the transition towards clean energy.
Suggestions
To ramp up low-carbon electricity generation in Florida, a dual focus on expanding nuclear and solar energy capacity should be a priority. Given that nuclear energy already represents a significant portion of the clean electricity Florida produces, expanding existing nuclear facilities could considerably bolster the state's clean energy credentials. Florida can draw inspiration from countries like France, where nuclear energy comprises an impressive 69% of electricity generation. Similarly, in states like South Carolina, nuclear energy accounts for 53% of the electricity. Simultaneously, growing Florida’s solar capacity, informed by the successes of regions like Nevada where solar provides 29% of electricity, and Lebanon at 31%, can play a vital role in diversifying Florida's energy portfolio. This dual strategy will not only help in reducing reliance on fossil fuels but also in securely meeting the future electricity demand fueled by ongoing electrification and technological advancements, including AI.
History
The historical trend of nuclear energy in Florida illustrates periods of significant fluctuations. The early 2000s were marked by several declines in nuclear electricity generation, particularly the negative shifts seen in 2005 and 2009. From 2010 to 2012, nuclear energy's contribution saw a continuous drop, representing a total substantial reduction over these years. However, a positive turn occurred in 2013 when nuclear energy witnessed a strong recovery, with an increase of 8.7 TWh. Since 2018, solar energy has steadily grown, showcasing consistent increases each year up to 2025, which reflects strong progress towards enhancing solar capacity. These trends underscore the importance of investing in robust infrastructure for sustainable, green electricity solutions to foster future growth in low-carbon energy in Florida, without repeating past setbacks in nuclear energy, to ensure a stable and reliable clean electricity supply.