In 2025, Idaho's electricity consumption shows a commendable tilt towards low-carbon sources, which make up more than half of its electricity generation. The largest contributor to this category is hydropower, which provides almost a third of the electricity. Fossil fuels, however, still play a significant role, accounting for just under a fifth of the total electricity, all from natural gas. Wind and solar energy also play important roles, contributing to Idaho’s clean energy blend with wind providing over a tenth and solar contributing around a sixteenth of the electricity. Biofuels contribute a marginal amount, rounding out Idaho's clean energy sources. Thus, while Idaho is making strides in low-carbon generation, there remains a continued reliance on fossil fuels that needs to be addressed.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Idaho?
The latest electricity consumption figures indicate a positive trajectory in Idaho. In 2025, electricity use rose to 14,503 kWh per person, a slight increase from the previous year, showing that the demand for electricity is on the rise, likely driven by growing population and technological advancements. Specifically, low-carbon electricity generation saw a substantial increase, with 7,499 kWh per person, marking a significant improvement of 526 kWh per person compared to the previous year. This data is a hopeful indicator that Idaho is steadily transitioning towards cleaner electricity solutions, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Suggestions
For Idaho to further expand its low-carbon electricity generation, focusing on accelerating wind energy production is highly advisable given the existing production levels. Learning from successful regions such as Iowa and South Dakota, both generating over half of their electricity from wind, Idaho has the potential to significantly boost wind energy contributions. Solar energy also presents a promising opportunity; Nevada and California, where solar contributes significantly, serve as excellent examples of how solar energy can be expanded effectively. Moreover, the inclusion of nuclear energy as part of a sustainable strategy is vital, inspired by states like New Hampshire and countries like France, which use nuclear as a central element of their low-carbon portfolios. Expanding both solar and nuclear energy will play a crucial role in Idaho's clean electricity future.
History
In examining the historical trajectory of Idaho's low-carbon electricity generation, there has been meaningful advancement in recent years. Throughout 2024 and 2025, there has been steady growth, with hydropower increasing by 0.8 TWh in 2024, and a further 0.6 TWh in 2025. Wind energy also saw a notable boost, with an increase of 0.7 TWh in 2024 and 0.1 TWh in 2025. While biofuels and geothermal energy levels remained stable with minimal increases, these small shifts indicate ongoing efforts to enhance Idaho's clean energy framework. The incremental progress witnessed in these recent years reflects a deliberate effort to augment the low-carbon energy share in Idaho’s electricity landscape, setting a positive precedent for the coming decade.
