Over the past 12 months from September 2024 to August 2025, South Carolina's electricity consumption has demonstrated a significant reliance on low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the electricity, approximately 60%, was generated from low-carbon sources, with nuclear energy alone accounting for a substantial 53%. Fossil energy sources, however, made up nearly 40% of the electricity mix, which includes about 22% from natural gas and nearly 18% from coal. Solar power contributed a modest 4%, with hydropower and biofuels providing around 2% and 1.5%, respectively. It is encouraging to see low-carbon energy playing a dominant role, though there is a clear need and opportunity to further expand the clean energy share by focusing on solar and nuclear, given their existing foundation in the state.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in South Carolina?
The current state of electricity consumption in South Carolina, measured at approximately 18,704 kWh per person in 2025, is indicative of a downward trend compared to the historic peak of 24,007 kWh per person in 2005. This represents a decrease of over 5,300 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has also seen a decline from the peak of 13,276 kWh per person in 2005 to around 11,286 kWh per person, a reduction of about 1,990 kWh per person. This stagnation and decline in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption are worrying. South Carolina must address these trends to ensure sustainability and growth, especially in meeting future demands driven by electrification and technological advancements like AI.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, South Carolina should focus on expanding its existing nuclear capacity, reinforcing its strong foundation in nuclear energy. Additionally, the state can draw lessons from successful regions around the world. For instance, France and Slovakia have shown impressive dominance in nuclear energy, with figures at around 68% and 67%, respectively. In the solar realm, Nevada and California serve as excellent models, achieving 33% and 29%, respectively. By diversifying and increasing investments in solar power while expanding nuclear capacity, South Carolina can secure a cleaner, more sustainable energy future and enhance its resilience against climate change and fossil fuel dependency.
History
In the past decades, South Carolina's low-carbon electricity sector has experienced notable fluctuations. In the early 2000s, nuclear energy generation initially saw an uptrend with increases in 2005 and 2007, followed by brief declines in 2006 and 2008. The early 2010s were marked by another decrease, although 2013 saw a substantial rise in nuclear generation, alongside an increase in hydropower. While there were further fluctuations through the 2010s, culminating in some reductions during 2018 and 2020, there are positive signs with increases recorded in 2019 and in recent years like 2023 and 2025. These fluctuations highlight the necessity for a more stable and robust strategy to ensure consistent growth in low-carbon electricity, with particular emphasis on expanding nuclear and solar at scale.
