Over the period from September 2024 to August 2025, Idaho has shown a distinct pattern in its electricity consumption. A significant portion, more than half, of Idaho's electricity comes from low-carbon sources, particularly because hydropower comprises nearly a third of the total energy mix. Wind energy also accounts for over 10% of the low-carbon category, while solar trails behind at just over 6%. The remainder of low-carbon energy comes mostly from biofuels. Meanwhile, net imports make up about a third of the energy consumed in Idaho, indicating a dependency on external electricity sources to meet demands. On the fossil energy front, gas fills this entire segment, contributing to around 20% of total electricity consumption. This dependence on fossil fuels, while smaller than low-carbon sources, still presents concerns regarding climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Idaho?
Electricity consumption in Idaho has seen a decrease from its historic record levels. In 2025, the total electricity consumed per person stood at approximately 14,500 kWh, a decline of over 3,000 kWh compared to the peak in 2004. Equally troubling is the drop in low-carbon electricity generation per person, which has decreased significantly by almost 2,800 kWh from its 2011 peak of 9,656 kWh per person. This downturn signals insufficient progress in generating more sustainable electricity to replace aging infrastructure and meet growing demands, potentially hampering Idaho's growth toward a cleaner energy future.
Suggestions
To bolster Idaho's production of low-carbon electricity, expanding wind power could be an effective strategy, given its current footprint and potential for growth. Idaho can look toward states like Iowa or South Dakota, which harness over half of their electricity from wind energy, showcasing the feasibility of increased wind capacity. On the solar front, California and Nevada provide inspiring benchmarks with nearly 30% and over 30%, respectively, of their electricity derived from solar power. Additionally, the success of nuclear energy in countries like France and Slovakia, which produce the majority of their electricity from nuclear sources, underscores the potential benefits of investing in nuclear power for enhancing Idaho's clean energy portfolio.
History
In examining Idaho's low-carbon electricity history, we observe a remarkable variability in hydropower generation, particularly through the first two decades of the 21st century. Notable increases, such as the 2.7 TWh rise in 2006 and the substantial 4.3 TWh jump in 2011, have been interspersed with declines, highlighting the dependency on seasonal and environmental factors. Wind energy saw more modest but consistent growth during this period, including a significant 0.9 TWh increase in 2011, followed by smaller increments in subsequent years. More recently, between 2024 and 2025, both hydro and wind have seen modest increases of 0.8 TWh and 0.7 TWh, respectively. These developments underscore the need for a stable and more diversified low-carbon infrastructure, which could be augmented by robust investments in solar and nuclear energy.
