As of the latest data from June 2024 through May 2025, Minnesota's electricity consumption landscape demonstrates a significant reliance on both low-carbon and fossil-fuel energy sources. Low-carbon electricity, including wind, nuclear, solar, biofuels, and hydropower, comprises nearly half of the state's electricity, at 47%. Notably, wind energy stands out, contributing slightly more than 22% to the low-carbon share, while nuclear power closely follows, adding around 18%. Solar energy's contribution remains modest at about 4%, with biofuels and hydropower accounting for a small fraction. Meanwhile, fossil-based electricity fuels like gas and coal contribute around 37% to the state's electricity consumption, with net imports filling the remaining gap of approximately 15%. This diverse energy mix highlights Minnesota's commitment to reducing carbon emissions while simultaneously depending on conventional sources to fulfill its energy needs, all the while increasingly focusing on the adoption and integration of cleaner energy alternatives.
Is Electricity Growing in Minnesota?
Despite this commitment to cleaner energy, overall electricity consumption in Minnesota appears to be declining. The most recent figures indicate that electricity consumption in the state stands at approximately 11,907 kWh per person, which is almost 2,000 kWh lower than the peak consumption observed in 2008. Furthermore, the level of low-carbon electricity generation has also experienced a decrease; the latest output of 5,593 kWh per person falls short by over 300 kWh compared to the highest recorded level in 2022. The reduction in overall and low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, especially in a period that demands more sustainable practices to drive electrification and tackle climate change challenges.
Suggestions
To reverse these trends and bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Minnesota could benefit from expanding its existing nuclear and wind infrastructures, which have already established themselves as significant contributors to the state's clean energy profile. By looking at regions like Iowa and South Dakota, where wind energy makes up a remarkable 60% of electricity generation, Minnesota can draw valuable insights on enhancing its wind capacity. The state could also learn from countries like France and Slovakia where nuclear power contributes well over 60% of overall electricity, serving as a model for maximizing nuclear energy's potential. Furthermore, exploring the effective integration of solar energy, as evident in Nevada and Lebanon, where solar power accounts for substantial portions of the energy mix, can also complement Minnesota’s low-carbon growth ambitions.
History
Historically, the journey of low-carbon electricity in Minnesota has seen notable developments and fluctuations. The expansion of wind energy began picking up momentum in the mid-2000s with increments reflected in 2005 and 2008, followed by consistent growth, especially marked between 2011 and 2022, when significant annual increases were recorded. While nuclear energy has experienced fluctuating outputs, including moments of decrease in 2009 and 2013, it bounced back notably in 2016 and 2025. The recent modest yet promising uptake in nuclear power positions it as a critical component in meeting future sustainable energy goals. Meanwhile, wind energy showed strong growth in recent years despite slight setbacks in 2023, indicating a pattern of steady development in Minnesota’s low-carbon electricity journey. These historical transitions underscore the importance of investing in and sustaining policies that prioritize stable and increased low-carbon electricity generation in Minnesota.