Over the past year, spanning from September 2024 to August 2025, Oklahoma has maintained a balance between fossil and low-carbon electricity sources, however, fossil fuels still slightly surpass low-carbon options in terms of percentage. Specifically, fossil energy sources contributed more than half of the state's electricity, with natural gas alone accounting for nearly half. In contrast, low-carbon energy made up a substantial portion of the electricity mix, contributing slightly more than 43%, with wind energy representing almost all of this fraction, and a small amount coming from hydropower. Low-carbon electricity's significant share demonstrates Oklahoma's commitment to integrating cleaner energy sources, although the overwhelming dominance of wind within this category points to an opportunity to diversify with other low-carbon technologies like solar and nuclear.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Oklahoma?
While Oklahoma experiences shifts in electricity consumption, the latest numbers indicate a decline in overall demand. Currently, the average electricity use stands at 21,967 kWh per person, showing a decrease of 1,002 kWh per person from the previous record set in 2024. This drop is concerning, as it suggests a lack of growth or even potential stalling in the transition towards a more electrified and low-carbon future. Moreover, even the production from low-carbon sources fell short of previous records, with the recent figures being 9,603 kWh per person, a decrease of 239 kWh per person compared to 2022. These declines signify a need to accelerate efforts, ensuring that the progress made does not stagnate but rather continues to move toward greater clean energy adoption.
Suggestions
Oklahoma has the opportunity to reinforce its growth in low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its existing wind energy capacity, given its current significant contribution to the state's energy mix. In parallel, Oklahoma could further look into adopting nuclear energy as countries like France and Slovakia have successfully achieved with more than half of their electricity generated by nuclear power. Additionally, learning from states like Nevada and California, which have embraced solar energy, could aid Oklahoma in diversifying its clean energy sources. By investing in solar, the state can better hedge against periods of low wind output and ensure reliable and sustainable power generation, amplifying its clean energy trajectory.
History
Historically, Oklahoma has seen substantial growth in its low-carbon electricity generation, particularly from wind energy. Starting in 2010, wind energy production began to grow, with significant annual increases over the following years, notably in 2016 and 2022, which saw increases of 6 and 5 TWh respectively. These strides underscore the successful integration of wind energy into the state's power supply over the last two decades. Although hydropower has experienced more fluctuations, with both ups and downs over the years, its contribution remains minimal compared to wind. The focus now should be on sustained growth in wind capacity and exploring additional low-carbon options like solar and nuclear to mitigate any potential dips in electricity generation and push the state towards a greener future.
