In Indiana, electricity consumption over the months stretching from September 2024 to August 2025 is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels. More than three-quarters of the electricity, about 78%, comes from fossil sources, with coal contributing around 41% and gas nearly 35%. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity stands at about 15%. Within this more environmentally friendly category, wind energy represents 9%, and solar accounts for just over 5%, indicating limited but crucial reliance on clean energy. Net imports constitute almost 7% of the electricity consumption, highlighting an external dependence alongside domestic production.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Indiana?
Examining the trend in electricity consumption, Indiana has seen a significant decrease over the years. The current electricity consumption per person is approximately 16,299 kWh, a substantial drop from the 20,764 kWh recorded in 2005. This decline of about 4,465 kWh/person points to decreasing overall electricity use, which may indicate efficiency gains, demographic changes, or shifts in industrial activity. On the brighter side, low-carbon electricity has seen remarkable growth, with the latest generation at 2,422 kWh/person, which is an increase from the 2,072 kWh/person recorded in 2024. This uptick of 350 kWh/person in clean energy is an encouraging step towards a more sustainable future.
Suggestions
To further augment low-carbon electricity generation, Indiana can learn from successful regions with substantial clean energy contributions. Nuclear power, as demonstrated by states like Illinois, where it accounts for 51% of electricity, can serve as a bedrock for reliable low-carbon energy. Similarly, wind energy, with Iowa's impressive 60% contribution, offers a promising avenue given Indiana's potential for wind energy development. Solar energy is also poised for growth, taking cues from states like Nevada, where solar constitutes 33% of the electricity mix. Additionally, Indiana can benefit from global success stories in solar energy deployment, such as California's near 29% solar electricity and Chile's 24%, emphasizing an expansive push toward solar capacity.
History
Looking back, the development of low-carbon electricity in Indiana has taken a somewhat erratic path. Significant growth occurred in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with wind energy seeing notable increases, particularly between 2009 to 2022, reaching peaks in years like 2022 with a 2.1 TWh addition. Solar power gained momentum starting in 2021 and saw considerable gains in 2024 and 2025, adding up to a total significance surge. However, 2023 saw a disappointing reduction in wind power by 1.1 TWh, indicating the need for resilience in sustaining growth. As these trends reveal, solidifying and expanding investments in wind and solar technologies, along with a strategic pivot to nuclear energy, could help Indiana meet its clean electricity goals and reduce reliance on fossil energy sources.
