Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, Indiana's electricity consumption profile is primarily dominated by fossil fuels. Fossil electricity accounts for about 80% of the total generation, with coal contributing more than 40% and natural gas making up nearly 36%. This considerable reliance on fossil sources is concerning due to the environmental impacts associated with these energy types. Conversely, low-carbon or clean energy production, which includes wind and solar, represents roughly 15% of the state's electricity mix. Wind accounts for more than 9%, while solar makes up slightly over 5%. Unfortunately, a still small share of electricity is imported, constituting about 5% of the overall consumption. As such, Indiana has substantial room for growth in its clean energy sectors to transition towards a sustainable and environmentally responsible electricity system.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Indiana?
In examining the question of electricity growth within Indiana, it's clear that overall consumption has decreased when compared to historical levels. The latest figure for 2025 shows electricity consumption at 15,870 kWh per person, which is a significant decrease of almost 4,900 kWh per person from the record highs in 2005. Despite this overall consumption decline, there is promising growth in low-carbon electricity generation. The current clean generation stands at 2,362 kWh per person, marking an increase of 346 kWh from the previous record set in 2024. This indicates a positive trend towards greater sustainable generation, even as total consumption has reduced, suggesting that Indiana is beginning to make the shift toward cleaner electricity options.
Suggestions
To enhance Indiana's low-carbon electricity generation, looking to successful regions can provide valuable insights. For instance, states like Iowa and South Dakota generate significant portions of their electricity from wind, with figures reaching 60% and 57%, respectively. These states offer a model for Indiana to expand its wind capacity. Regarding solar energy, Nevada and Lebanon have achieved notable penetration at 30% and 31% respectively, showing that substantial growth in solar capacity is feasible. Furthermore, states such as Illinois and countries like France have achieved over 50% of their electricity from nuclear power, demonstrating the potential for nuclear energy to provide a reliable and large-scale solution. Indiana can take cues from these regions to strategically invest in and expand both its solar and nuclear infrastructure, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable electricity system for the future.
History
Reflecting on Indiana's history with low-carbon electricity, there have been various periods of growth, especially in wind power. Starting in 2009, wind energy production began to rise significantly, registering notable increases in 2010, 2015, and 2021, among other years. Solar energy also saw early, although modest, growth in 2021, with a more robust increase in recent years, particularly in 2024 and 2025. While wind production experienced a slight decline in 2023, the overall trend remains upward for both solar and wind. Biofuels have seen minimal fluctuations and do not form a significant part of Indiana's clean energy trajectory. Thus, to continue this positive trend, Indiana should prioritize investments in expanding both its solar and nuclear capacities, following the positive examples set by leading regions worldwide.
