From July 2025 through June 2026, Louisiana relied on fossil fuels for more than three-quarters of its electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources supplied about 22%. Gas dominated at roughly 70%, with coal contributing another 5%. Nuclear was the largest clean electricity source, supplying nearly 17% of consumption, followed by solar at almost 3% and biofuels at about 2%. These figures show that Louisiana already has a substantial nuclear foundation, but fossil fuels still dominate its electricity supply, with associated climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in Louisiana?

Louisiana’s latest electricity consumption remains below its historical peak, even as clean generation reaches a new high. The 2026 figure of about 23,700 kWh per person is roughly 1,900 kWh, or 8%, below the 2023 record of about 25,600 kWh per person. That shortfall is concerning as electrification and AI create additional electricity demand, although these figures alone do not establish whether consumption fell from the immediately preceding year. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity generation reached about 5,200 kWh per person, surpassing the 2025 record by around 660 kWh, or 14%—an encouraging advance.

Suggestions

Louisiana should build on its nuclear foundation by expanding generation at existing nuclear facilities where feasible and considering additional reactors, alongside a substantial solar buildout. Nearby examples offer useful lessons: the US states of Alabama and Georgia each generate about 30% of their electricity from nuclear, while the US state of South Carolina reaches 52%. France’s 67% nuclear share further demonstrates how large a role this clean source can play. For solar, Louisiana can learn from the US states of Nevada and California, where solar supplies about 35% and 31% of electricity, respectively. Wind could also diversify the clean electricity mix, drawing lessons from the neighboring US state of Texas, where wind supplies 22%. Together, nuclear, solar and suitable wind development could support growing electricity needs while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

History

Across 2024–2026, Louisiana’s reported low-carbon electricity gains were overwhelmingly driven by nuclear. Nuclear generation increased by 2.4 TWh in 2024, followed by another 0.6 TWh in 2025 and a stronger 2.8 TWh increase in 2026—a cumulative gain of 5.8 TWh over the three annual changes. Hydropower added 0.2 TWh in 2024 but recorded no further change in 2025 or 2026, while biofuel generation was unchanged throughout the period. This recent history highlights nuclear’s central contribution to Louisiana’s clean electricity growth and provides an encouraging foundation for further expansion.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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