As of 2025, over half of Hawaii's electricity is generated from fossil fuels, specifically oil, which dominates at 60%. In contrast, low-carbon sources contribute to almost one-third of the electricity mix. Solar power is the most significant low-carbon contributor, providing more than 22% of the electricity, with behind-the-meter solar panels accounting for a substantial portion of this. Utility solar also plays a vital role, contributing over 8%. Wind energy accounts for nearly 5%, while geothermal provides a little over 2%, and biofuels about 1.6%. Meanwhile, net imports supply about 5% of the state's electricity.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Hawaii?
Electricity consumption per person in Hawaii has seen noticeable growth recently. In 2025, the average consumption was about 8,086 kWh per person, which surpasses the previous record of 7,423 kWh per person set in 2024. This increase of 664 kWh is a positive sign of rising demand that might drive further investment in clean energy infrastructure. Low-carbon electricity generation per person also rose from the previous record of 2,434 kWh in 2024 to 2,575 kWh in 2025, marking an increase of 141 kWh per person. This growth in both overall and clean electricity usage is encouraging and crucial for ensuring sustainable development and meeting future energy needs.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Hawaii should focus on expanding its successful solar power infrastructure. Learning from states like Nevada, where solar contributes a substantial 34% of electricity, could offer guidance on scaling up solar effectively. While Hawaii doesn't currently pursue nuclear power, the global success of countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear makes up over 66% of electricity generation, highlights nuclear's vast potential. Additionally, looking towards places like Denmark and Iowa, both achieving around 58% of their electricity from wind, Hawaii could increase its wind capacity by adopting similar strategies tailored to its unique geographical conditions. The combined expansion of solar and the potential incorporation of nuclear energy could significantly enhance Hawaii's clean electricity landscape.
History
Historically, Hawaii's low-carbon electricity generation has not been without challenges. In recent years, stable contributions from wind and geothermal, with no gains or losses, contrast with minor fluctuations in biofuels and hydro. Specifically, there were no changes in biofuels in 2025 following a slight decline in 2024, while geothermal remained steady with no growth. Unfortunately, wind saw a minor decrease in 2025 after stagnation in 2024. Hydro also experienced a slight decline. These recent trends signal an area of concern where improvements could be focused to maintain and enhance Hawaii's low-carbon energy growth. Investing in more resilient and scalable energy solutions like expanded solar installations or considering nuclear options could provide consistent growth in clean electricity generation while aiding in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
