In Iowa, electricity consumption in 2025 shows a significant reliance on low-carbon energy, which accounts for more than 60% of the total electricity mix. The majority of this clean energy comes from wind power, making up almost 60% of the state's electricity, highlighting Iowa's commitment to harnessing wind as a sustainable resource. Solar and hydropower contribute modestly, with solar energy generating about 2.5% and hydropower contributing just over 1%. In contrast, fossil fuels, comprising coal and gas, account for over a third of Iowa's electricity. Coal remains the predominant fossil fuel source at approximately 26%, while gas provides around 12%, underscoring a continued reliance on emitting sources that could be mitigated with further expansion of clean energy technologies.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Iowa?
The electricity consumption in Iowa is on a growth trajectory, as evidenced by a noticeable increase in per capita consumption. In 2025, residents consumed an average of 23,032 kWh per person, surpassing the previous year's record of 21,886 kWh per person by a difference of 1,146 kWh. This growth in total electricity use is accompanied by an uptick in low-carbon electricity generation, which also reached a new peak. In 2025, low-carbon generation increased marginally to 14,452 kWh per person from 14,397 kWh in 2024, marking a positive yet modest improvement. Despite this overall growth, the small rise in low-carbon generation points to the need for more aggressive expansion to reduce fossil fuel dependency further and combat environmental challenges such as climate change.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Iowa should build upon its successful wind energy infrastructure given its current substantial contribution to the state's cleaner electricity mix. Learning from states and countries with notable achievements in solar and nuclear energy can provide valuable insights. For instance, states like California (solar 31%) and Illinois (nuclear 50%) demonstrate how integrating solar and nuclear energy can substantially increase the share of clean electricity. By diversifying its energy portfolio with solar energy and exploring the potential of nuclear power, Iowa can enhance its clean energy output, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and set a strong example for other regions committed to a sustainable future.
History
Historically, Iowa's low-carbon electricity landscape has seen some fluctuations. In 2024, wind energy and hydroelectricity both experienced growth, with wind seeing a 2.8 TWh increase and hydropower a modest rise of 0.1 TWh. However, in 2025, there was a setback, with wind energy decreasing by 0.5 TWh while hydropower remained stable. This decline in wind energy is concerning, given its essential role in Iowa's clean energy strategy. Nonetheless, with the resilience and past growth demonstrated in prior years, Iowa has the potential to reverse this trend and further bolster its green energy future. Emphasizing the expansion of wind and exploring the untapped potential of nuclear and solar will ensure Iowa not only meets but exceeds its clean electricity generation goals.
