Over the past year from July 2025 to June 2026, Nevada's electricity consumption has been split almost evenly between fossil energy and low-carbon sources. More than half, at approximately 54%, of the electricity consumed came from fossil fuels, with natural gas contributing the lion’s share at nearly 50% and coal lagging behind at just under 4%. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources made up about 47% of the electricity mix. Solar energy stood out as a prominent contributor, accounting for over a third of the energy supply with large-scale utility solar leading at 30% and behind-the-meter solar at about 5%. Geothermal energy also played a significant role, adding approximately 8%, while hydropower and other low-carbon sources like biofuels contributed smaller fractions.

Is Electricity Growing in Nevada?

Recent trends indicate a worrying stagnation in electricity growth in Nevada. The state’s electricity consumption per person has slightly declined, with the current figure holding at 14,339 kWh per person, down by about 220 kWh since its previous peak in 2024. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight decrease with the latest figures showing 6,689 kWh per person—a modest drop of just 11 kWh from last year's record. This plateauing of electricity growth, especially in clean energy generation, is concerning amid increasing global demand for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Nevada needs to focus on expanding solar energy given its already significant contribution. Increasing investment in both utility-scale and rooftop solar can harness Nevada’s abundant sunlight to generate more clean energy. Additionally, Nevada can look to other regions for inspiration. For instance, the robust nuclear energy contributions in France and Slovakia—each generating more than two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear power—demonstrate the potential for nuclear energy to play a major role in clean electricity production. Likewise, the success of wind energy in states like Iowa and Denmark, each generating more than half of their electricity this way, highlights opportunities for augmenting sustainable electricity generation through diverse low-carbon sources. By following these examples, Nevada can effectively bolster its low-carbon energy production portfolio.

History

Historically, Nevada's low-carbon electricity generation has seen various shifts over recent years. In 2024, the state experienced a modest increase in hydropower by 0.3 TWh, although this was counterbalanced by a small decline in geothermal energy by the same amount. Notably, wind and biofuels have seen stagnation during these years, with no significant changes in their output. In 2025, another slight rise in hydropower was recorded, but without any change in wind or geothermal output. However, in 2026, there was a reduction in hydropower by 0.5 TWh, although geothermal energy saw a small boost of 0.1 TWh. Despite some fluctuations, Nevada has managed to maintain a relatively stable low-carbon energy mix, albeit with room for growth and improvement, particularly in solar and potentially in nuclear energy. Overall, a sustained commitment to expanding low-carbon electricity generation is essential in overcoming the challenges of fossil fuel dependence and ensuring a sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.