In the past year, spanning from September 2024 to August 2025, Nebraska's electricity consumption reflects a diverse energy mix with an encouraging presence of low-carbon sources. Almost half of Nebraska's electricity, 49%, comes from low-carbon sources, signaling a positive trajectory towards cleaner energy. Fossil fuels, however, still hold a significant share with 46.81% of the total electricity consumption. Coal is the predominant fossil fuel at 43.6%, while gas contributes a much smaller portion at 3.11%. Among the clean energy, wind plays a vital role, accounting for 29.61% of the electricity, closely followed by nuclear at 15.33%, and hydropower at a lesser 2.81%. Net imports represent a marginal share of 3.76%, balancing the other local sources. Nebraska’s energy landscape is progressing where almost half of its electricity comes from clean sources, yet there is still room for growth in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Nebraska?
Nebraska's electricity usage is currently on a downward trend compared to its previous record high in 2015. In 2025, the state's total electricity consumption per person was recorded at 19,895 kWh, down by 1,182 kWh from the 2015 peak of 21,077 kWh. This decline is a point of concern, especially in a time when increased electrification is vital for sustainability. Low-carbon electricity generation has followed a similar path, with the latest figures showing 9,748 kWh per person, which is 380 kWh less than the record in 2023. The retreat from these previous highs sparks worry, as it emphasizes the urgency for Nebraska to bolster its clean energy output to better meet future electricity needs and mitigate effects of climate change.
Suggestions
To enhance Nebraska's low-carbon electricity generation, it's crucial to build upon existing strengths in nuclear power and wind energy. Given their substantial current output, these sources prove their efficiency and reliability. Expanding nuclear energy has yielded exceptional results in regions like France, New Hampshire, and Illinois, where nuclear accounts for over half of their electricity. Similarly, Nebraska could emulate Iowa's wind energy success, which contributes a remarkable 60% of its electricity. It's equally valuable to explore opportunities in solar power, as evidenced by states like California, where solar covers 29% of electricity needs. By drawing insights from these regions, Nebraska can ensure a robust, sustainable energy future that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and addresses the pressing challenges of climate change.
History
Nebraska's journey with low-carbon energy has experienced various developments over the years. In the early 21st century, particularly the 2000s, nuclear energy saw fluctuating fortunes. Notable declines occurred in 2005, 2008, and especially in 2011, with a significant reduction of 4.1 TWh. However, subsequent years like 2007 and 2014 witnessed substantial increases, the latter buoyed by additional wind power generation that grew by 0.9 TWh. The 2010s followed a similar erratic trend, with setbacks in 2016 and 2017 offset by promising gains in 2013 and 2019 with nuclear and wind augmentations respectively. Wind energy, showing a clear upward trajectory, particularly stood out in 2020 and 2022 with significant growth spurts of 1.9 and 3 TWh respectively. This storied past highlights Nebraska's capacity for maximizing clean energy potentials, though more consistent progress in nuclear expansion could further stabilize and reinforce its journey towards a greener electricity sector.
