The electricity consumption landscape in New Hampshire has seen a significant inclination toward low-carbon sources, with more than two-thirds of the state's electricity coming from clean energy sources between September 2024 and August 2025. Nuclear energy takes the lead, contributing to more than half of the state's electricity, specifically around 54%, showcasing its pivotal role in New Hampshire's energy mix. Hydropower also adds to the low-carbon group, supplying close to 7%, while biofuels, wind, and solar collectively contribute about 9% to the overall low-carbon output. On the contrary, fossil fuels remain a considerable part of the electricity generation, albeit at a lesser extent, with nearly 30% of electricity coming from gas and coal, where gas alone accounts for 27%. This composition underscores New Hampshire's progress toward a sustainable electricity future while highlighting the continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New Hampshire?
The current electricity consumption in New Hampshire is concerning, as it has been on a decline compared to historical figures. In 2025, the per capita electricity consumption was recorded at 12,660 kWh, a stark reduction of 6,185 kWh from the record high in 2005. Even more worrisome is the decline in low-carbon electricity generation per person, dropping 1,757 kWh from 2013's peak of 10,585 kWh. These setbacks in consumption and low-carbon production suggest stunted growth in the sector, raising concerns over New Hampshire's ability to meet rising future demands, particularly as electrification increases and technology advances call for more electricity.
Suggestions
New Hampshire can strengthen its low-carbon electricity generation by investing further into its predominant low-carbon source, nuclear energy, given its significant contribution to the current grid. The state could also learn from places like France, where over 70% of electricity is nuclear-powered, indicating the feasibility and benefits of expanding nuclear generation. To diversify its clean energy portfolio, New Hampshire could look at regions like Nevada and California that effectively harness solar power, contributing 33% and 29% of their electricity generation, respectively. Similarly, the wind energy success in states like Iowa, where wind accounts for 60% of electricity generation, suggests potential growth avenues for New Hampshire to explore, bolstering its transition to a cleaner and more sustainable electricity sector.
History
Looking at the historical trends in New Hampshire's low-carbon electricity generation, significant fluctuations characterize the sector's trajectory. The early 2000s saw varied contributions from nuclear and hydro, with notable declines in nuclear output that have since raised critical perspectives on New Hampshire's energy strategy. While 2007 and 2010 saw brief surges in nuclear electricity generation by 1.4 and 2.1 TWh respectively, subsequent years mirrored a volatilizing pattern with frequent declines. However, the year 2013 marked a positive spike with an increase of 2.7 TWh in nuclear generation. In recent years, despite a positive note with a 1.1 TWh increase in 2022, 2023 followed with a significant drop of 1.4 TWh, emphasizing the urgent need for consistent enhancements in low-carbon electricity generation to achieve steady growth.
