In Mississippi, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption leaned heavily towards fossil energy, with more than three-quarters of the electricity being sourced from fossil fuels. Natural gas dominated this category at nearly three-quarters, and coal contributed a small fraction. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources made up just over a fifth of the electricity consumption. Nuclear energy was a significant contributor within this category, responsible for almost 15% of the total electricity, while solar power and biofuels added smaller portions. The current landscape emphasizes a strong reliance on fossil fuels, underscoring the urgent need for an increased focus on clean energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Mississippi?
Electricity consumption in Mississippi experienced growth, with the latest data showing an increase to 26,995 kWh per person, up from the previous record of 26,288 kWh per person in 2024. This increase of 707 kWh per person highlights a positive trend in electricity usage, likely driven by growing demand and electrification. In parallel, low-carbon electricity generation has seen an encouraging rise, reaching 5,413 kWh per person. This is an appreciable growth from the previous record of 4,758 kWh per person in 2024, representing an increase of 656 kWh per person. The growing low-carbon share is a promising sign, but there is still ample room for improvement to further reduce Mississippi’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Mississippi should focus on expanding its successful existing nuclear infrastructure, given its significant contribution to the state's electricity mix. By looking at successful regions, Mississippi can draw inspiration from states like South Carolina and Illinois, where nuclear energy makes up a significant portion of the electricity mix, at around 53% and 51% respectively. Additionally, the state can benefit from expanding solar energy initiatives, learning from regions like Nevada and California, which have successfully integrated substantial solar electricity in their mixes. By prioritizing the expansion of nuclear alongside solar power, Mississippi can gain a more balanced and sustainable energy portfolio, aligning closer with a greener future.
History
Exploring the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Mississippi, the last two decades have been characterized by fluctuations, especially in nuclear energy production. The most notable increases were seen in 2013 and 2019, with boosts of 3.6 TWh and 4.1 TWh, respectively. However, these gains were periodically offset by declines, such as the unfortunate downward shifts in 2016 and 2020, with reductions of 5.8 TWh and 4.6 TWh. More recently, in 2021 and 2023, nuclear energy showed promising advancements with increases of 5.3 TWh and 3.1 TWh. Meanwhile, solar energy began to make its way onto the scene, adding 1.1 TWh in 2024 and continuing growth in 2025. This history underlines the need for stability and expansion in low-carbon electricity to overcome past volatility and secure a more robust green energy supply.
