From September 2024 to August 2025, the electricity consumption in Maryland has seen a diverse mix of sources making up its energy portfolio. Net imports account for about 42% of Maryland’s electricity, indicating a substantial dependency on external sources. Low-carbon electricity generation, which includes nuclear and solar, contributes to nearly 31% of the electricity, exemplifying some commitment to a cleaner energy future, but highlighting room for growth, particularly in the solar sector which remains below 5%. Fossil fuels, primarily gas and coal, still play a considerable role by comprising approximately 27% of the electricity mix, pointing towards ongoing challenges in reducing emissions and shifting towards greener alternatives. The data demonstrates Maryland's efforts in balancing its energy needs with environmental considerations, but also underscores the importance of further investments in low-carbon technologies to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and imports.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Maryland?
Despite a global emphasis on transitioning to cleaner energy, overall electricity consumption per person in Maryland has decreased when compared to historical peaks. The latest calculation for 2025 shows an electricity consumption of 10,472 kWh per person, a significant reduction from the 13,625 kWh per person recorded in 2005. This downward trend, with the latest numbers representing over a 3,000 kWh reduction, raises concern. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight decline, with the latest figures at 3,214 kWh per person, down by 121 kWh from its peak in 2018. While the adoption of clean energy is evident, the contraction in both overall and low-carbon electricity generation signals a need to reassess strategies for energy growth and sustainability to support the increasing demands of an electrified future.
Suggestions
Maryland's path towards increasing its low-carbon electricity generation can draw inspiration from successful regions with robust nuclear and solar frameworks. Places like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes to approximately 70% and 66% of their electricity, respectively, demonstrate the viability and benefits of expanding nuclear infrastructure. Similarly, states like Nevada and California show the potential gains from solar energy, contributing around 33% and 29% of their electricity, respectively. By considering these proven strategies and adjusting them to Maryland’s local context, the state could significantly bolster its clean energy output, helping decrease reliance on fossil fuels and imports while securing a sustainable and resilient energy future.
History
Historically, Maryland's journey in low-carbon electricity has seen notable fluctuations. The early 2000s marked a period of notable variability, with both hydro and nuclear experiencing significant shifts. While nuclear saw decreases in some years, such as a 0.9 TWh drop in 2006 and a 0.6 TWh reduction in 2010, there were also years of recovery with gains like the 0.7 TWh rise in 2013. The hydroelectric sector presented similar instability, with declines and recoveries interspersed throughout the years, such as a 0.9 TWh increase in 2018 followed by a 0.6 TWh decrease the subsequent year. These fluctuations highlight the challenges Maryland has faced in maintaining consistent growth in its low-carbon electricity sector, pointing to the critical need for a stable and substantial investment in expanding nuclear and solar electricity generation moving forward.
