In the past year, between September 2024 and August 2025, Minnesota's electricity consumption has shown a growing reliance on low-carbon energy sources. Low-carbon electricity forms almost half of the total electricity mix in the state, with 45.4% coming from clean sources such as wind, nuclear, solar, biofuels, and hydropower. Among these, wind energy is a prominent source, contributing 21.15% to the state's electricity. Nuclear energy is a major player as well, responsible for nearly 17% of the electricity generated in the state. Solar power contributes close to 5%, while biofuels and hydropower have minor but significant roles. Meanwhile, fossil fuels, including gas and coal, provide 37.37% of Minnesota's electricity, indicating a significant dependency, although this figure is less than low-carbon's share. Net imports also provide a noteworthy share, covering about 17% of the state's electricity needs.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Minnesota?
Minnesota's overall electricity consumption has seen a decline compared to its all-time high. In 2025, consumption stood at approximately 12,452 kWh per person, a notable drop from the record of 14,388 kWh per person in 2006. This represents a decrease of almost 2,000 kWh per person, a cause for concern in light of the growing need for clean energy to power electrification processes and emissions reduction initiatives. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation fell short of its record highs, producing 5,653 kWh per person in 2025, compared to 5,954 kWh per person in 2022. This reduction of over 300 kWh per person is disappointing as it slows Minnesota's progress towards an energy-efficient and sustainable future.
Suggestions
To elevate low-carbon electricity generation, Minnesota should focus on expanding its existing low-carbon power sources, specifically nuclear and wind power. These two already play a major role in the state's electricity generation, and scaling them up could yield quick benefits. The state could take inspiration from regions leading the way in nuclear and wind energy. For example, France and Slovakia derive a substantial portion, over two-thirds, of their electricity from nuclear power, demonstrating the potential of this clean energy source. Closer to home, Iowa and South Dakota have harnessed wind to generate more than half of their electricity. By bolstering these low-carbon technologies, and potentially incorporating more solar energy following models from states like Nevada and California, Minnesota can not only increase sustainable energy production but also address the pressing challenges of climate change and air pollution.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Minnesota, it's clear that wind and nuclear power have shown mixed progress over the years. From 2005 to 2023, wind energy exhibited considerable growth, especially in recent years such as 2022 when it increased significantly by 2.8 TWh. However, setbacks occurred in 2023 with a slight decrease. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, experienced more fluctuations with notable gains and declines. In 2010 and 2014, there were substantial increases in nuclear generation, yet these were punctuated by equally significant decreases, such as in 2011 and 2023, causing disruptions in the state's clean energy advancement. This inconsistent performance, particularly the declines in nuclear energy, underscores the need for a stable, sustained strategy to expand low-carbon electricity generation in Minnesota.
