Over the period from July 2025 to June 2026, Idaho's electricity consumption showed a strong emphasis on low-carbon energy sources, with more than half of its electricity—approximately 58%—coming from sustainable options. Hydropower led this charge, contributing almost 38% of the total electricity generated, demonstrating Idaho's significant hydroelectric potential. Wind and solar energy also played notable roles, contributing roughly 11% and 7% respectively, though solar includes both utility-scale and behind-the-meter generation. Fossil fuels, specifically natural gas, made up roughly 19% of Idaho's electricity generation. Net imports also formed a significant part of Idaho's electricity mix, comprising about 23% of the total.

Is Electricity Growing in Idaho?

Despite the importance of clean energy in Idaho, the overall electricity consumption per person in 2026 revealed a slight decline, which is a cause for concern in terms of meeting future energy demands and supporting economic growth. The total electricity consumption per person was just over 14,400 kWh, marking a decrease of 60 kWh per person from the peak in 2025. However, there was an encouraging trend on the clean energy front, where low-carbon electricity generation increased by 830 kWh per person compared to its previous record in 2025. This growth highlights Idaho's commendable efforts to increase clean energy capacity, even as the overall electricity consumption saw a minor decline.

Suggestions

To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, Idaho could consider expanding its current wind energy capacity, taking inspiration from successful regions like Iowa and South Dakota, where wind constitutes over 55% of the electricity generation mix. Furthermore, embracing solar energy expansion could draw lessons from Nevada and California, where solar contributes over 30% of their electricity. Most importantly, looking at global examples, Idaho should consider investing in nuclear energy, given its proven capacity to generate large quantities of low-carbon electricity, as seen in countries like France and Slovakia where nuclear power comprises a significant portion of their electricity generation.

History

Historically, Idaho has seen steady improvements in its low-carbon electricity generation. In the early 2020s, significant increments were made in hydropower and wind generation. The years 2024 and 2025 saw increases in hydropower generation by 0.8 and 0.6 TWh, respectively, and wind generation saw a boost until 2024. However, in 2026, hydropower again took a leap forward with an increase of 1.5 TWh while other sectors like wind remained stable. This historical context illustrates Idaho’s steady commitment towards enhancing its clean energy profile, even though there have been variations in the growth rates across different low-carbon sources in recent years. As the state continues to embrace clean energy transitions, maintaining momentum in expanding its wind and potentially solar and nuclear capacities could pave the way for a more sustainable electricity future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.