Electricity in Indiana in 2024
Indiana's electricity consumption in 2024 predominantly relies on fossil fuels, which make up roughly 77% of the state's electricity, with coal and gas almost evenly splitting this share. Coal accounts for close to 39%, while gas contributes about 37%. In terms of low-carbon energy sources, they collectively generate almost 13% of electricity in Indiana, with wind being the leading contributor at approximately 9%, followed by solar at roughly 3%. Additionally, Indiana also relies on net imports for about 10% of its electricity, which highlights a significant area for improvement by increasing local low-carbon generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Indiana?
Despite experiencing significant changes in electricity consumption, Indiana has seen a considerable decline in per-person electricity usage. In 2005, the peak electricity consumption reached 20,764 kWh per person, while in 2024, it has reduced to 15,165 kWh per person, marking a decline of around 5,600 kWh per person. Contrastingly, low-carbon electricity generation per person is showing a positive trend, with this year's figure reaching 1,961 kWh per person, up from 1,728 kWh in 2022. While this represents growth in clean electricity, the overall decline in electricity consumption is a cause for concern given the increasing need for electrification and technological advancements.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Indiana can look to successful regions and apply their strategies, focusing on wind, solar, and particularly nuclear energy. Regions like Iowa and South Dakota harness wind power for over 59% and 63% of their electricity, respectively, which considerably surpasses Indiana's current share. In terms of nuclear energy, states like New Hampshire and Illinois produce over 50% of their electricity from nuclear plants. By adopting similar approaches and investing in large-scale solar projects like Nevada, with a 27% solar share, Indiana can significantly augment its low-carbon energy portfolio. These efforts could not only reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also drive sustainable growth and secure energy independence.
History
Indiana's history in low-carbon electricity generation has shown notable progress. The late 2000s marked the advent of large-scale wind energy development, with significant annual increments such as 1.2 TWh in 2009 and 1.5 TWh in 2010. The 2010s continued to build on this momentum, despite occasional setbacks, with modest but consistent growth in wind energy generation, and a notable extension into solar energy in 2021. However, the trend faced some reductions in 2023, when wind energy saw a decline of 1.1 TWh, while solar continued to grow. Nevertheless, 2024 has seen a recovery, with wind generation rebounding by 0.9 TWh and solar surging ahead by 1.2 TWh. These dynamics highlight the vital role that continued investment and policy support for low-carbon technologies hold in sustaining Indiana's progress toward greener electricity.