Currently, Indiana remains highly dependent on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, with more than 80% of its electricity coming from fossil energy sources like coal and natural gas. Coal alone constitutes about 43%, while natural gas contributes roughly 35% to the overall mix of electricity production. On the other hand, low-carbon sources—which are crucial for sustainable development and minimizing environmental impact—make up nearly 16% of electricity production. Wind and solar energy have a combined share that amounts to more than a third of the low-carbon energy segment, with wind accounting for about 9% and solar contributing around 6%. Meanwhile, imported electricity comprises a little over 3%, further reflecting Indiana's continued reliance on external sources besides its dominant fossil fuel dependency.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Indiana?
Indiana's electricity consumption is indeed on an upward trajectory. The 2025 data shows a per-person consumption rate of 16,369 kWh, which is 175 kWh higher than the previous record from 2024. This growth in electricity use highlights a broader trend of increasing demand potentially driven by technological advancements and economic growth. Encouragingly, low-carbon electricity generation has also seen an increase, moving from 2,072 kWh per person in 2024 to 2,588 kWh in 2025. This represents a substantial climb of 516 kWh per person, indicating significant progress towards cleaner energy adoption, although the overall share remains small compared to fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To further bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Indiana can glean insights from various successful regions. Countries like France and Slovakia generate a substantial 66-67% of their electricity from nuclear energy, setting benchmarks for nuclear utilization. Closer to home, states like Illinois and New Hampshire leverage nuclear power for about half to 55% of their electricity. For wind energy, Denmark achieves an impressive 60%, while states like Iowa and South Dakota harness wind for nearly 58% of their electricity. Indiana can learn from these examples by scaling up its solar and nuclear commitments, potentially incorporating partnerships or policy incentives that reflect successful strategies from these regions. This diversification would not only decrease fossil fuel reliance but also support a reliable, resilient, and sustainable electricity grid for Indiana’s future.
