Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, Michigan's electricity consumption has shown a strong reliance on fossil energy, which accounts for more than half of the state's generation at approximately 65%. Gas dominates the fossil category at nearly 39%, with coal making up about 24% and oil at a minimal 1%. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources contribute about 35% of the electricity generation. This is predominantly powered by nuclear energy, which represents around 23%, followed by wind at 8%, solar at about 2%, and biofuels constituting a small fraction of 2%. The share of clean energy sources indicates significant room for growth as fossil fuels continue to prevail despite their negative environmental impacts.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Michigan?
Electricity consumption in Michigan appears to be on a growth trajectory. In 2025, the average electricity usage per person reached 12,467 kWh, surpassing the previous record from 2024 by 219 kWh. However, there is a slight concern with low-carbon electricity generation, which fell to 4,344 kWh per person from a previous high of 4,527 kWh in 2021. This decline highlights a pressing need for considerable investment and strategic initiatives to enhance clean energy generation if Michigan is to meet its growing electricity demands sustainably.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Michigan can build upon the existing nuclear infrastructure, as nuclear is already a significant component of its electricity mix. By expanding nuclear power facilities, Michigan can draw lessons from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear accounts for a large portion of electricity, around 67% to 69%. Additionally, by maximizing solar energy, Michigan can emulate the efforts seen in regions like Lebanon and Nevada, where solar contributes 30-31% of their electricity. Encouraging investments and developments in both solar and nuclear energies can drive Michigan towards a more sustainable energy future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Michigan reflects a series of fluctuations, particularly in the nuclear sector. In the early years of the 21st century, Michigan experienced significant gains with nuclear increases in 2005 and 2007. However, this trend was interrupted by periodic setbacks, notably in 2006 and 2009, which saw reductions of 3.8 TWh and 9.6 TWh, respectively. Yet, the resilience of nuclear energy is seen in the sporadic spikes, like the substantial 7.8 TWh increase in 2010 and a further 4 TWh in 2021. Wind energy has also grown, particularly in 2024 with an increase of 1.5 TWh. These shifts underscore a need for consistent, strategic investment in nuclear and wind to ensure stable and reliable clean energy growth for the future.
