In the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in Texas has largely depended on fossil fuels, although there has been a significant contribution from low-carbon sources. Fossil-based energy, predominantly from gas, accounts for more than half of the electricity supply at about 62%. Gas is the single largest energy source within this category, responsible for close to half of the total electricity production. Coal, as a separate fossil energy source, represents roughly 12% of the mix. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources collectively account for a larger-than-expected portion at approximately 38%. Within the low-carbon segment, wind energy stands out as the most substantial contributor, providing almost 22% of the total electricity. This is followed by solar energy, which makes up about 9%, and nuclear power, contributing 7%. The combination of these low-carbon sources points to a promising shift towards cleaner energy production in the state, although the continued reliance on fossil-fuel energy remains significant.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Texas?
Electricity consumption in Texas is on an upward trend, as evidenced by the latest statistics. As of 2025, the average electricity consumption per person reached 18,367 kWh, an increase of 263 kWh from the previous record set in 2024. This rise reflects a growing demand for electricity within the state. Notably, low-carbon electricity generation also set a new record in 2025, with each person consuming 7,022 kWh—an impressive increase of 466 kWh from the previous year's record. This growth in low-carbon electricity is a crucial development, indicating a positive shift towards cleaner energy sources. As Texas continues to increase overall electricity consumption, the expanded integration of low-carbon energy is essential to mitigating the environmental impact traditionally associated with fossil fuel-based electricity.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, Texas has great potential in expanding its existing wind energy infrastructure, given its established success in this area. States like Iowa and South Dakota, where wind contributes between 57% and 60% of total electricity, serve as excellent examples for Texas in maximizing wind energy output. Additionally, embracing solar energy expansion could also prove beneficial, taking cues from regions like Nevada and Lebanon, where solar energy accounts for significant portions of their electricity production at 30% and 31%, respectively. Furthermore, incorporating lessons from countries with strong nuclear energy production, such as France, where nuclear energy makes up 69% of the electricity mix, would be fundamental. By investing in a diversified low-carbon portfolio that includes solar and nuclear energy alongside wind, Texas can significantly reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and enhance the sustainability of its electricity supply.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Texas, especially over the last two decades, highlights the state's proactive steps toward clean energy transitions, albeit with varying degrees of success across different sources. The early 2000s saw Texas laying a strong foundation with wind energy, experiencing consistent growth with annual increases consistently in the range of 4 to 13 TWh. The significant increase in wind energy generation in 2016, where the state saw a jump of almost 13 TWh, stands out as a pivotal moment marking aggressive expansion. Solar power entered the state's energy mix more prominently in 2020 and has shown commendable growth since then, with annual increases in the range of 4 to over 12 TWh annually. These developments collectively highlight the state's gradual yet determined shift towards a sustainable energy future, with wind and solar being key components of growth. However, increasing contributions from nuclear energy could further bolster these efforts and cement Texas's role as a leader in low-carbon electricity generation.
