In the period from April 2025 to March 2026, Maryland's electricity consumption shows a diverse mix of sources. A large portion, almost 40%, comes from net imports, which suggests a reliance on electricity generated outside the state. Low-carbon electricity is also significant, making up about 31% of the state's electricity mix. This group includes nuclear energy, which contributes to approximately 22%, solar energy in various forms making up around 5%, hydropower at 2%, and wind energy at close to 1%. Fossil fuels account for about 29% of electricity, with natural gas making a notable contribution of around 25%, while coal contributes a smaller fraction of about 3%. This mix shows that while Maryland has a sizeable clean energy footprint, there is still substantial dependence on external and fossil energy sources.

Is Electricity Growing in Maryland?

Examining the latest electricity consumption, Maryland saw an incremental growth, with per capita usage reaching 10722 kWh in 2026, just slightly higher than the previous record in 2025 of 10665 kWh. This modest increase of 57 kWh signifies a broader trend of sustained demand for electricity, albeit at a slow pace. Encouragingly, the state's generation from low-carbon sources also recorded a growth, with the latest figures reaching 3310 kWh per person, up by 62 kWh from the previous year. This demonstrates a positive trend towards a cleaner electricity mix, though the overall growth in electricity usage remains gradual.

Suggestions

Looking forward, Maryland can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its successful nuclear energy infrastructure. Learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear represents over 60% of electricity generation, Maryland could significantly benefit from boosting its nuclear capacity. Moreover, states like California and Nevada have shown the success of large-scale solar initiatives, suggesting Maryland could also increase its solar capacity to capture more sunshine for electric power. By following the examples of these regions, Maryland can decrease its reliance on imported and fossil-based energy, reduce negative environmental impacts, and increase the share of clean electricity, fostering a sustainable energy future.

History

Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Maryland, the progression over the years has shown some fluctuations. In recent years, particularly by 2026, nuclear saw a minor improvement after a small decline in 2024, reflecting a consistent yet insufficient push towards maintaining and enhancing nuclear facilities. Wind energy showed modest gains with slight increases annually, whereas hydro and biofuels remained largely stagnant. It is crucial that these clean energy sources, particularly nuclear, receive more robust and continuous support to ensure they can meet the demand for green electricity generation and not fall behind, considering the growing electrification needs.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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