Over the past twelve months, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in New Hampshire has shown a significant shift towards low-carbon sources. Over two-thirds of the state's electricity is now derived from low-carbon sources, with nuclear power being the most prominent, contributing to more than half of the state's electricity generation. This strong reliance on nuclear energy highlights New Hampshire's commitment to clean energy. Hydro and biofuels together make up around 11%, while wind energy contributes a smaller but still valuable share. In contrast, fossil energy accounts for almost a third of the state's electricity, primarily from gas, which is over a quarter of the total. Coal plays a minor role, providing close to none at just 2%, but this highlights the ongoing need for transition away from fossil fuels to avoid the negative impacts of climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New Hampshire?
With regard to electricity consumption, New Hampshire is currently experiencing a drop from past peaks. In 2025, the average electricity consumption was 12,491 kWh per person, which represents a significant decrease of 6,354 kWh per person compared to the highest consumption levels in 2005. Similarly, the generation of low-carbon electricity per capita has also seen a decline. The latest figures indicate 8,548 kWh per person, which is 2,037 kWh per person lower than the record set in 2013. This downtrend in both total and low-carbon electricity generation raises concerns, especially given the rising demand for clean electricity fueled by broader electrification efforts and the rapid growth of technology sectors like AI.
Suggestions
New Hampshire's path forward should focus on bolstering its already strong low-carbon electricity generation, particularly by expanding nuclear capacity, which is a proven and major contributor to its clean energy mix. The state can draw valuable lessons from regions succeeding with wind and solar, such as Iowa and Nevada, where almost 60% and 30% of electricity comes from wind and solar, respectively. These regions serve as examples for how New Hampshire could diversify its low-carbon sources effectively. By increasing investment in nuclear along with exploring solar potential, New Hampshire can fortify its clean energy portfolio, efficiently addressing environmental concerns while meeting increasing electricity demand.
History
The evolution of New Hampshire's low-carbon electricity has seen a series of fluctuations over the years. In the mid to late 2000s, nuclear energy experienced ups and downs, with significant increases in some years like 2007 when it rose by 1.4 TWh. The early 2010s marked a dynamic period with substantial nuclear gains in 2010 and 2013, though these gains were counterbalanced by various declines, notably in 2011 and 2023. Hydro and biofuels have provided smaller contributions but remain a consistent component of the low-carbon mix. Despite setbacks, particularly sporadic drops in nuclear output, the state's nuclear capacity has shown resilience and represents a pivotal area for expansion to ensure continued progress in the clean energy transition.
