Over the past 12 months, spanning from September 2024 to August 2025, Nevada's electricity consumption has revealed a balanced mix of energy sources. Fossil energy forms a slight majority, comprising around 54% of electricity generation, with natural gas making up a substantial portion of this share. Low-carbon energy sources, on the other hand, supply nearly 47% of the state's electricity. Solar is a leading contributor among low-carbon sources, generating about a third of Nevada's electricity. Geothermal energy adds around 8%, while hydropower contributes slightly over 4%. Coal's role is minimal, accounting for just over 5%, indicating Nevada's move towards cleaner energy solutions to tackle climate change and reduce air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Nevada?
Electricity consumption in Nevada has not yet rebounded to its record high from 2005, which was 16,534 kWh per person. The most recent figure in 2025 stands at 14,437 kWh per person, representing a decline of over 2,000 kWh compared to the 2005 peak. However, the state has made remarkable progress in increasing low-carbon electricity generation. The latest data shows a rise to 6,745 kWh per person from low-carbon sources, reaching a new record and surpassing last year's figures by over 500 kWh per person. While total electricity consumption may be down from historic highs, the focus on expanding low-carbon electricity suggests a positive trajectory towards a sustainable energy future.
Suggestions
Nevada can further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by continuing to expand its successful solar installations. Drawing inspiration from states like Arizona, which has invested significantly in both solar and nuclear technologies, Nevada could consider introducing or ramping up nuclear energy production for a stable and continuous clean energy supply. In addition, insights can be gathered from states like Iowa and Kansas, where wind energy constitutes a strong part of their electricity mix. Collaborating with these regions could guide Nevada in optimizing its clean energy infrastructure and policies, ensuring a diversified and robust energy portfolio that would support growing electricity demands in the years ahead.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Nevada, significant developments have occurred, particularly in the field of solar energy. Starting in 2014, Nevada has seen consistent annual growth in solar electricity generation, with noteworthy surges in 2016 and 2022 when considerable increases of 1.7 and 2.8 TWh, respectively, were recorded. The geothermal sector also showed steady contributions with small yet consistent increments. Hydropower has fluctuated slightly, noted by both negative and positive variations in generation over the years. Overall, this growth in low-carbon electricity indicates Nevada's proactive approach and commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and investing in sustainable, clean energy solutions for a more resilient future.
