From July 2025 through June 2026, Louisiana relied on fossil fuels for more than three-quarters of its electricity consumption. Gas alone supplied about 70%, while coal contributed about 5%. Low-carbon sources accounted for roughly 22%: nuclear was the largest clean electricity source at about 17%, followed by solar at nearly 3% and biofuels at about 2%. Utility-scale installations supplied most of the solar electricity. This mix leaves substantial room to expand clean electricity and reduce the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Louisiana?

Louisiana’s electricity consumption is below its historic peak, but low-carbon electricity generation is growing strongly. The latest 2026 consumption figure is about 23,700 kWh per person, 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 increase future electricity needs, although comparing two records does not establish a continuous downward trend. Meanwhile, low-carbon generation reached about 5,200 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record set in 2025 by roughly 660 kWh, or 14%. That is encouraging progress toward a cleaner electricity supply.

Suggestions

Louisiana should build on its established nuclear generation by expanding output from existing plants where feasible and considering additional nuclear capacity, alongside a substantial expansion of solar. Nearby southeastern examples are particularly relevant: nuclear supplies about 52% of electricity in the US state of South Carolina and about 30% in each of the US states of Alabama and Georgia. France, at roughly 67% nuclear electricity, offers another example of large-scale clean generation. For solar, Louisiana can learn from the US states of Nevada and Arizona, where solar supplies about 35% and 19% of electricity, respectively. Neighboring Texas, where wind supplies about 22%, also offers useful experience for assessing suitable wind projects. Together, nuclear, solar and appropriately located wind could support growing electricity demand while reducing fossil-fuel dependence.

History

The supplied history covers 2024 through 2026 and shows consistent gains in Louisiana’s low-carbon electricity generation, led overwhelmingly by nuclear. Nuclear output increased by 2.4 TWh in 2024, followed by a smaller 0.6 TWh gain in 2025 and a stronger 2.8 TWh increase in 2026—about 5.8 TWh of cumulative growth across the three years. Hydro added 0.2 TWh in 2024, with no reported change in either subsequent year, while biofuel generation remained unchanged throughout. These figures show welcome momentum from nuclear, especially in 2026, providing a strong foundation for further clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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