Electricity in Rhode Island in 2024/2025
In Rhode Island, electricity consumption over the period from June 2024 to May 2025 indicates a significant reliance on fossil energy sources, with fossil energy accounting for almost 88% of the total electricity generated, primarily from gas. This leaves only about 11% harnessed from low-carbon sources, a category encompassing solar, biofuels, and wind. Notably, solar energy leads among these with almost 7%, followed by biofuels at approximately 2%, and wind contributing close to 2%. Net imports add a minor 1% to this mix. The current scenario underscores a disparity, favoring fossil fuel usage over clean energy sources, which are imperative for mitigating climate change and reducing air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Rhode Island?
Evaluating electricity consumption trends, Rhode Island has witnessed a decline relative to its peak usage. In 2025, the average electricity consumption was around 8,760 kWh per person, reflecting a reduction of 689 kWh compared to the record levels reached in 2023. However, there is a silver lining concerning low-carbon electricity, as it achieved a slight increase to 933 kWh per person, surpassing the previous high of 908 kWh per person set in 2024. This uptick indicates a positive stride towards cleaner electricity, albeit in the context of overall declines, highlighting an urgent need for ramping up low-carbon electricity generation to ensure sustainable growth and meet future demands driven by electrification trends and technological advancements.
Suggestions
Rhode Island can look to certain regions as benchmarks for increasing its low-carbon electricity generation, particularly in expanding solar and nuclear capacities. States such as New Hampshire, which utilizes nuclear energy for over half of its electricity, demonstrate the significant impact of nuclear power. Similarly, Lebanon's substantial solar generation showcases the potential of solar power, suggesting that Rhode Island can scale up investments in these clean energy technologies. By emulating successful examples and setting ambitious targets for solar and nuclear electricity generation, Rhode Island can transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable electricity landscape, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and align with global efforts to combat climate change.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Rhode Island reveals modest but steady increments in clean energy sources over recent years. In the early 2000s, biofuels made modest contributions, fluctuating slightly over time. Between 2016 and 2023, solar energy consistently added capacity each year, albeit small increases, while wind energy saw minor fluctuations with little gain. The data also indicates a gradual embracing of solar energy, underscoring potential for growth in solar installations. However, future expansion particularly needs to focus on more substantial contributors like solar and nuclear, ensuring a shift away from fossil reliance, and paving the way for a resilient, low-carbon electric grid in Rhode Island.