Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, New Mexico's electricity consumption has leaned more towards low-carbon or clean energy sources, which now constitute over half of the total electricity generation at around 54%. Among these, wind power plays a significant role, contributing to nearly 39% of the electricity mix. Solar energy adds another substantial share, making up more than 15% of the total. On the fossil fuel front, gas remains a prevalent source, accounting for about 27% of electricity generation, with coal providing nearly 19%. This mix highlights New Mexico's commendable progress in adopting clean energy, but the continued reliance on fossil fuels indicates an opportunity for further improvement in reducing emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New Mexico?
Despite the advances in clean energy adoption, New Mexico's total electricity consumption per capita has seen a decline compared to past benchmarks. The current per capita consumption is approximately 17,468 kWh, which falls short by 2,011 kWh when compared to the record high of 19,479 kWh achieved in 2009. However, it is encouraging to see that low-carbon electricity generation has set a new record, rising from 9,213 kWh per person in 2024 to 9,482 kWh per person in 2025. This growth in clean electricity is vital, yet the overall decrease in electricity consumption per capita is concerning, as it may indicate limitations in infrastructure or unmet energy needs necessary for supporting future developments in technology and industrial electrification.
Suggestions
To further elevate New Mexico's low-carbon electricity generation, expanding wind and solar infrastructure should be a priority given their existing contributions to the state's energy mix. Observing regions like Iowa, where wind constitutes 60% of electricity generation, can provide valuable insights for wind energy expansion in New Mexico. Additionally, looking towards regions with successful nuclear energy programs, such as France with 69% and more locally, Arizona with 27%, can guide New Mexico in potentially developing nuclear energy capabilities. Incorporating nuclear energy would not only diversify New Mexico's energy portfolio but also reinforce its commitment to sustainable and clean electricity production.
History
Historically, New Mexico's push towards low-carbon electricity has seen various phases of growth, especially evident in the wind and solar sectors since the early 2000s. Wind energy saw modest increases in the early 2000s, with significant upticks in growth around 2016 and 2017. Following this, 2021 and 2022 marked remarkable expansions, with wind energy seeing increases of 3.4 TWh and 3.9 TWh respectively. Solar energy has also experienced steady growth, notably in 2017 and again in the years leading up to 2025, reaching significant development with over a TWh added in the last year. These developments underscore a positive trend towards a cleaner electricity sector, which New Mexico should continue to nurture and expand. Although wind energy saw a slight dip in 2025, overall growth in wind and solar energy offers a promising outlook for the state's clean electricity future.
