From July 2025 through June 2026, low-carbon sources supplied about 41% of New Jersey’s electricity consumption, compared with about 36% from fossil fuels. Nuclear was the largest clean source, supplying almost a third of consumption, while solar contributed about 7%, including roughly 5% from behind-the-meter systems and 2% from utility-scale installations. Gas supplied about 35%, accounting for nearly all the fossil share. Net imports covered almost 23%; their low-carbon or fossil composition is not specified in the data.

Is Electricity Growing in New Jersey?

Electricity consumption per person is growing in New Jersey, alongside a welcome increase in clean generation. The latest 2026 consumption figure reached about 8,970 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of about 8,810 kWh in 2025 by 152 kWh, or roughly 1.7%. Low-carbon electricity generation also set a record, reaching 3,650 kWh per person—62 kWh, or about 1.7%, above the 2025 record. These gains are encouraging, although faster clean electricity growth would help meet additional demand from electrification and AI while reducing reliance on fossil generation.

Suggestions

New Jersey should expand its existing nuclear generation and accelerate solar deployment, building on technologies that already make substantial contributions to its electricity supply. Relevant examples include the US states of New Hampshire and South Carolina, where nuclear supplies about 52% of electricity generation, and Illinois, where it supplies almost half. France’s roughly two-thirds nuclear share offers another strong example. For solar, New Jersey can learn from the US state of Maine, where solar provides about 18% of generation, and the Netherlands, where it provides about 19%, through wider rooftop and utility-scale deployment. Wind can complement this growth: the United Kingdom generates about 30% of its electricity from wind, offering a useful coastal comparison. Together, nuclear, solar and wind can increase clean electricity availability and displace fossil fuels, reducing climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

History

The supplied history covers only 2024 through 2026. In 2024, nuclear electricity generation fell by 0.7 TWh and hydro generation declined by 0.1 TWh, marking a disappointing setback for low-carbon electricity output. Nuclear then grew by 0.2 TWh in both 2025 and 2026, a welcome recovery, although those gains together did not fully offset the 2024 reduction. Biofuels and wind recorded no change throughout the listed years, while hydro was unchanged in 2025; no hydro figure is supplied for 2026. Overall, the recent nuclear recovery is encouraging, but stronger, sustained growth in clean electricity generation is needed.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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