In 2025, New York's electricity consumption reflects a significant mix of low-carbon and fossil energy sources. More than 44% of the electricity comes from low-carbon sources such as nuclear, hydropower, solar, and wind, which shows a meaningful commitment to green energy. Fossil fuels, primarily gas, account for a little over 39% of the electricity mix. Of the low-carbon sources, nuclear energy contributes around 17.5%, hydropower almost 16%, solar energy close to 6%, and wind just above 4%. While gas remains a significant component, the substantial share from nuclear and other low-carbon sources is a positive step toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New York?
New York's electricity consumption has seen a notable increase. The per-person electricity usage reached 8,248 kWh in 2025, surpassing the previous record from 2024 of 7,812 kWh, an increase of 436 kWh per person. This rise indicates growing demand and possibly a positive trend toward meeting increased electrification needs. Moreover, low-carbon electricity generation per person has also grown to 3,685 kWh, up from the 2024 record of 3,517 kWh, reflecting an increase of 167 kWh per person. This encouraging trend suggests a growing share of electricity demand is being met with cleaner, sustainable resources, which is crucial for New York's energy future.
Suggestions
To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, New York should consider expanding its existing nuclear facilities, given their substantial contributions to the current low-carbon mix. Learning from countries and states like France and New Hampshire, where nuclear power dominates, can be particularly insightful. France's impressive 67% of electricity from nuclear and New Hampshire’s 55% offer successful blueprints for maximizing nuclear capacity. In addition to nuclear, New York could also expand its solar infrastructure, inspired by regions like California and Nevada where solar energy reaches 31% and 34% respectively. Enhancing both nuclear and solar capabilities will ensure a reliable and sustainable energy future for New York, aligning with global efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate their negative impacts.
History
Historically, New York's low-carbon electricity generation has had its ups and downs. In the mid-2020s, nuclear energy saw a consistent increase, with a notable 1.3 TWh gain in 2025. This growth is crucial for stability in New York's low-carbon supply. However, there were minor fluctuations, such as a drop of 0.5 TWh in nuclear output in 2024, underscoring the need for expansion and investment in nuclear infrastructure to avoid future declines. Meanwhile, wind energy has been steadily increasing, illustrated by gains of 1.2 TWh in 2024 and 0.9 TWh in 2025. These advancements highlight New York's potential and opportunity to further enhance its low-carbon energy profile, particularly through nuclear and solar investments, ensuring a sustainable electricity supply for its residents.
