From July 2025 through June 2026, low-carbon sources supplied almost half of Minnesota’s electricity consumption, while fossil fuels supplied about 36% and net imports accounted for 16%. Wind led the clean electricity sources at about 21%, followed by nuclear at 19% and solar at roughly 5%. Biofuels and hydropower contributed around 2% and 1%, respectively. Coal and gas each supplied about 18%, leaving considerable room for clean electricity to replace fossil generation and reduce climate-warming emissions and air pollution. The data do not specify the generation mix behind net imports.

Is Electricity Growing in Minnesota?

Minnesota’s electricity consumption is growing modestly, with clean electricity growing faster. The latest 2026 consumption figure reached about 12,600 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of 12,499 kWh in 2025 by 87 kWh, or about 0.7%. Low-carbon electricity generation also set a record, rising to about 6,000 kWh per person—112 kWh above the 2025 record, an increase of roughly 1.9%. These are encouraging gains, although stronger clean electricity growth would help meet future demand from electrification and AI.

Suggestions

Minnesota should build on its established nuclear and wind generation while accelerating solar deployment. Expanding existing nuclear capacity and considering additional reactors would strengthen its clean electricity supply: the nearby US state of Illinois generates almost half of its electricity from nuclear, while France generates about two-thirds. For wind, neighboring US states offer especially relevant examples: Iowa generates 57% of its electricity from wind, and South Dakota generates 56%. Solar also has substantial room to grow beyond Minnesota’s current 5% share; the US state of Maine generates 18% of its electricity from solar, demonstrating its contribution in a northern setting. These regions provide useful models for combining nuclear, wind, and solar with investment in transmission and grid capacity.

History

Across 2024–2026, Minnesota’s low-carbon electricity gains were led by nuclear and wind. In 2024, wind generation increased by 0.4 TWh and hydropower by 0.1 TWh, while nuclear slipped slightly by 0.1 TWh. Nuclear then delivered a strong rebound, adding 1.4 TWh in 2025 and another 0.4 TWh in 2026. Wind added 0.6 TWh in 2025 before a disappointing 0.2 TWh decline in 2026, reinforcing the need for sustained expansion. Hydropower fell by 0.1 TWh in 2025 before gaining 0.2 TWh in 2026, while biofuel generation remained unchanged throughout. Overall, these sources recorded a combined net increase of 2.7 TWh over the three years, a welcome advance in clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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