Over the past 12 months, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026, Kentucky's electricity consumption has been predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of its electricity, 80% to be precise, coming from these sources. Coal plays the largest role, contributing more than half — around 57% — to the state's electricity needs, while natural gas adds almost a quarter at about 23%. In addition to these fossil sources, net imports contribute over 12% to the overall electricity supply. Low-carbon energy sources, unfortunately, make up a small portion of the total consumption. Standing at nearly 8%, the contributions include hydropower, covering about 5%, and solar power, which adds close to 2.5% primarily generated by utility-scale solar projects. Such a reliance on fossil fuels underlines the challenges Kentucky faces in pivoting toward cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

Is Electricity Growing in Kentucky?

Looking at the broader picture of electricity consumption in Kentucky, there is a slight downturn in the overall electricity used per person. As of 2026, the consumption stands at 18,089 kWh per person, which marks a decrease from the previous year's record-high of 18,133 kWh per person, a reduction of 44 kWh per person. Despite this mild decline in total electricity consumption, there has been a positive development in low-carbon electricity generation. Recent data reveals an increase to 1,384 kWh per person from low-carbon sources, an improvement of 67 kWh per person compared to 2025. This demonstrates a promising trend as Kentucky begins to shift towards more sustainable and green energy options, even amidst a stagnant overall consumption landscape.

Suggestions

To significantly boost low-carbon electricity generation, Kentucky should look toward regions that have successfully leveraged clean energy sources. For instance, states like Iowa and South Dakota have achieved remarkable penetration of wind power, generating about 57% and 55%, respectively, from this resource. On the nuclear front, places like South Carolina and Illinois are noteworthy, where over half of their electricity comes from nuclear energy. Kentucky can draw inspiration from these successes, particularly by enhancing its solar infrastructure akin to Nevada, which generates 34% of its electricity from solar, and by investing heavily in nuclear power, echoing the achievements of countries like France and Slovakia with their significant nuclear contributions. Investing in both solar and nuclear capabilities could provide Kentucky with a robust and sustainable path forward in transitioning to a low-carbon electricity future.

History

Historically, low-carbon electricity generation in Kentucky has witnessed inconsistent developments. In 2024, the state saw a minor boost in hydropower production by 0.2 TWh, while biofuels remained unchanged. However, 2025 experienced a dip, with hydropower regressing by the same margin it had gained the previous year, returning to the previous production levels, again seeing no change in biofuels. As of 2026, there has been no further shift in these sectors. This stagnation in expanding clean energy underscores an urgent need for strategic investments and policies to push Kentucky towards a more sustainable energy future. By learning from successful regions and leveraging strategic investments, Kentucky can reverse this trend and expand its low-carbon energy portfolio, creating a cleaner and more resilient electricity future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Apr 2025 – Mar 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.