Over the last year, from April 2025 to March 2026, New York's electricity consumption presented an interesting mix of low-carbon and fossil energy sources. Low-carbon sources accounted for a slight majority at 44%, with nuclear contributing a significant portion of this at 17%, hydropower at about 15%, solar at nearly 7%, and wind at around 4%. Meanwhile, fossil energy sources accounted for about 41%, with gas being the primary contributor at almost 39% and oil contributing a small fraction at less than 2%. Net imports made up close to 15% of the electricity supply, reflecting the state's reliance on external sources. This blend showcases an ongoing transition towards clean energy, yet there's notable room to shift further away from fossil energy to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in New York?

Electricity consumption in New York shows signs of modest growth. The latest figure stands at 8,266 kWh/person, a slight increase from the previous record of 8,248 kWh/person in 2025. This indicates a minor surge, suggesting that electricity consumption is on a slight upward trend. However, low-carbon electricity generation saw a small decline, with the latest figure being 3,638 kWh/person compared to the previous record of 3,685 kWh/person, resulting in a decrease of 47 kWh/person. This decline in clean electricity is concerning and highlights the need for enhanced efforts to increase sustainable electricity generation to meet the growing demand created by electrification and innovations like AI, while simultaneously working toward a greener future.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, New York should consider expanding its nuclear capacity, as this technology already plays a significant role in the state's electricity mix. Looking globally, New York can take inspiration from countries and states successfully harnessing nuclear and solar energy. For instance, France generates more than two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear power, offering a strong example of nuclear utilization. Similarly, states like New Hampshire and South Carolina achieve over half of their electricity from nuclear. Solar energy also holds great potential, as seen in Nevada and California, generating over 30% of electricity from solar sources. By bolstering nuclear and solar capacity, New York can embrace sustainable solutions and continue its journey towards a low-carbon future.

History

In reviewing the history of low-carbon electricity in New York, the past few years have seen mixed developments. In 2024, wind power made a significant leap forward with an increase of 1.2 TWh, while hydro and nuclear both experienced slight decreases of 0.5 TWh each. The year 2025 witnessed a varied performance, with hydro seeing a notable decline of 2.2 TWh and nuclear energy recovering with an increase of 1.3 TWh. Wind energy enjoyed a continued upward trend with a gain of 0.9 TWh, showing resilience in the clean energy sector. However, 2026 was marked by declines in nuclear, wind, and hydro power generation, each facing slight reductions. This fluctuating history emphasizes the importance of driving consistent growth in low-carbon energy sources, particularly nuclear and solar, to ensure a sustained advancement towards a cleaner electricity infrastructure.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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