Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, the state of Missouri has primarily relied on fossil fuels for electricity consumption, with more than half of its electricity coming from such sources. Coal remains dominant, accounting for nearly half of all generated electricity. Meanwhile, gas makes up a little over 10% of the total. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources, which include nuclear, wind, solar, and hydropower, together contributed less than a fifth of Missouri's electricity mix. Nuclear energy trails slightly behind fossil fuel imports, making up close to 9%, while wind, solar, and hydropower accounted for around 7%, 2%, and slightly over 1%, respectively. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels raises concerns about sustainability and environmental health, underscoring the urgent need for a transition to cleaner energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Missouri?
Despite Missouri's total electricity consumption recently reaching 13,913 kWh per person, it still falls short of the record year of 2011, which saw 15,783 kWh per person. This marks a reduction of 1,870 kWh per person, indicating a trend of stagnation in total electricity consumption. Additionally, the low-carbon sector has seen decreases as well; the most recent figures point to 2,724 kWh per person from low-carbon sources, down from a previous record of 3,129 kWh per person in 2024. This reduction of 404 kWh per person suggests that progress in low-carbon electricity generation has slowed, which is concerning given the pressing need to increase sustainable energy sources to tackle climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
Missouri can take cues from certain successful regions to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation. States like Iowa and South Dakota, which derive 60% and 56% of their electricity from wind respectively, demonstrate the viability of significantly expanding wind energy. Similarly, Illinois, with more than half of its electricity generated from nuclear sources, showcases the potential of nuclear energy. Missouri stands to benefit greatly by investing in solar and nuclear energy, as evidenced by states like Nevada, which generates 33% of its electricity from solar, and Illinois, leading in nuclear adoption. By embracing these strategies, Missouri can create a cleaner energy mix and strengthen its energy independence.
History
Throughout recent decades, Missouri has experienced fluctuations in its nuclear electricity generation. Notable increases occurred in 2006, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, and 2024, while other years saw significant decreases, particularly in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025. These years of decline, especially in 2021, when nuclear generation dropped by 3.4 TWh, highlight inconsistencies in maintaining a stable nuclear output. Encouragingly, wind energy has seen positive growth, with a remarkable increase of 3.2 TWh in 2021. Moving forward, it is vital for Missouri to address these challenges and consistently grow its low-carbon electricity production, establishing a sustainable and resilient energy future.
