From July 2025 through June 2026, low-carbon sources supplied about 40% of Tennessee’s electricity consumption, fossil fuels supplied 29%, and net imports accounted for the remaining 31%. Nuclear was the largest identified source, providing almost a third of consumption, followed among clean sources by hydropower at about 6% and solar at roughly 2%. Coal and gas each supplied about 15%. Imports’ generation mix is not specified, so their low-carbon and fossil shares cannot be determined from these data.

Is Electricity Growing in Tennessee?

Tennessee’s electricity consumption is growing: the latest 2026 figure reached 16,160 kWh per person, surpassing the 2025 record of roughly 16,000 kWh by 164 kWh, or about 1%. That is welcome progress as electrification and AI increase electricity demand. However, low-carbon generation has not yet reached a new high: at 6,461 kWh per person, it remained 104 kWh, or about 2%, below its 2023 record. Expanding clean electricity faster would help meet rising demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their climate and air-pollution impacts.

Suggestions

Tennessee should build on its substantial nuclear foundation by expanding generation at existing nuclear facilities and pursuing additional nuclear capacity, alongside a strong solar expansion. The nearby US state of South Carolina generates 52% of its electricity from nuclear, while the US state of Illinois reaches 49%; both offer relevant examples of nuclear’s large-scale contribution. France, at 67%, provides another model. For solar, Tennessee can learn from the US states of Arizona and Nevada, where solar supplies 19% and 35% of generation, respectively, while adapting development to local conditions. Wind also deserves consideration where resources are suitable: the US state of Illinois combines its large nuclear contribution with 13% wind generation, illustrating how clean sources can complement one another.

History

The recent history shows substantial fluctuations in Tennessee’s low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear generation fell by 5.8 TWh in 2024 and another 2.9 TWh in 2025—a deeply disappointing combined setback of 8.7 TWh that underscores the importance of maintaining and expanding clean electricity output. Its strong 8.2 TWh rebound in 2026 was therefore especially welcome, although it did not fully reverse those earlier losses. Hydropower rose by 0.9 TWh in 2024 before declining by 0.5 TWh in 2025 and 0.6 TWh in 2026. Reported biofuel generation was unchanged in all three years, while wind was unchanged in 2024. Overall, the nuclear recovery is encouraging, but sustained growth in nuclear and solar is needed to move beyond recovery toward lasting clean electricity expansion.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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