From July 2025 through June 2026, low-carbon sources supplied about 60% of South Carolina’s electricity consumption, while fossil fuels supplied about 40%. Nuclear was the backbone of this clean electricity supply, providing just over half of all electricity, at 52%. Solar contributed about 4%, hydropower almost 2%, and biofuels about 1.5%. Within the fossil share, gas accounted for about 23% of electricity and coal about 17%. South Carolina therefore has a strong low-carbon foundation, but its substantial fossil dependence still contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in South Carolina?

The latest figures do not show growth in electricity consumption per person. In 2026, consumption reached about 18,500 kWh per person, down 386 kWh, or roughly 2%, from the 2025 record of about 18,900 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation was about 11,100 kWh per person, around 535 kWh—or 5%—below its 2023 record of roughly 11,600 kWh. These declines are concerning as electrification and AI increase the need for abundant clean electricity. However, these per-person figures alone do not establish whether statewide electricity consumption increased or decreased.

Suggestions

South Carolina should build on its existing nuclear strength by expanding generation at existing plants where feasible and considering additional nuclear capacity. France and Slovakia, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity, demonstrate how this technology can anchor a predominantly low-carbon electricity system. Solar also has considerable room to grow: the US states of Nevada and Arizona generate about 35% and 19% of their electricity from solar, respectively, compared with South Carolina’s 4%. Their experience offers useful lessons for scaling solar, although local conditions differ. Wind could complement these additions where suitable, drawing lessons from the US states of Texas and Iowa, where wind supplies about 22% and 57% of electricity. Together, nuclear, solar, and suitable wind development could increase clean electricity availability and reduce fossil dependence.

History

Over 2024–2026, South Carolina’s low-carbon electricity history was dominated by fluctuations in nuclear generation. Nuclear output fell by 1.9 TWh in 2024, rebounded by 2.9 TWh in 2025, and then fell by 2.9 TWh in 2026, completely erasing the previous year’s gain. That reversal is a disappointing setback for clean electricity growth and underscores the importance of sustaining and expanding nuclear output. Hydropower increased by 0.4 TWh in 2024 and 0.1 TWh in 2025 before declining by 0.3 TWh in 2026. Biofuel generation rose by 0.1 TWh in 2024, fell by 0.3 TWh in 2025, and remained unchanged in 2026.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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