From September 2024 to August 2025, the electricity consumption profile in Iowa reveals a distinctive reliance on low-carbon or clean energy sources. Over 63% of the electricity comes from low-carbon sources, notably with wind energy contributing a substantial 60%. Additionally, smaller contributions from solar (at nearly 2%) and hydropower (slightly above 1%) help support this clean energy mix. In contrast, fossil-based electricity remains a significant portion, making up roughly 36% of the total with coal and natural gas as prominent contributors. With coal at approximately 24% and natural gas supplying a bit over 12%, it's evident that fossil energy still holds a considerable share of Iowa's electricity generation. This distribution underscores the importance of continuing to transition toward low-carbon sources to ensure a cleaner energy future.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Iowa?
Despite efforts to increase low-carbon electricity, overall electricity consumption in Iowa appears to be slightly decreasing. The latest figures for 2025 indicate an average electricity consumption of 22,564 kWh per person, which reflects a minor reduction of 223 kWh per person from the record set in 2022. Low-carbon electricity generation also mirrors this trend; current levels are at 14,330 kWh per person, down from the peak of 14,792 kWh per person in 2022, marking a decrease of 463 kWh. These declines in both overall and low-carbon electricity usage indicate potential challenges in energy growth and underline the need for strategic initiatives to promote more sustainable consumption.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Iowa could benefit from expanding its already impressive wind energy capacity and exploring other viable green energy sources, particularly solar and nuclear. Iowa can draw inspiration from regions with successful low-carbon targets, such as Illinois, where nuclear energy forms 52% of its electricity generation. Regions such as Nevada and California, leading with 30% and 21% solar generation respectively, show the growing potential of solar power. By learning from these successful regions, Iowa can focus on increasing wind capacity and considering investments in utility-scale solar farms and nuclear facilities to diversify and strengthen its low-carbon energy mix. Such expansions would help minimize reliance on fossil fuels, helping alleviate their negative impacts on climate and air quality.
History
Examining the progress of low-carbon electricity generation in Iowa reveals a consistent trend toward wind energy. Since its inception, wind energy capacity has grown considerably, particularly between 2008 and 2022, with significant increases in various years like 2009, 2012, and particularly in 2022 with an uplift of 8.7 TWh. However, an interesting shift occurred in the nuclear energy sector, where a promising start in 2013 was followed by notable declines, particularly a substantial decrease of 2.3 TWh in 2020. Moving forward, Iowa's commitment to advancing its low-carbon energy capacity, specifically through wind and potential new solar and nuclear projects, is crucial in shaping a sustainable energy future that not only meets growing demand but also addresses the urgent challenges of climate change and air pollution.
