Over the last year, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in Texas has majorly relied on fossil energy sources, which contribute more than half of the energy generation at 61%. Specifically, natural gas alone forms a substantial part of this group with nearly half of the electricity coming from it. On the cleaner side, low-carbon energy, which includes wind, solar, and nuclear, contributes almost 39% to the electricity mix. Wind energy leads this group by providing a significant portion of electricity generation, covering about 22%. Solar energy and nuclear power make up the rest of the clean energy mix, generating close to 10% and 7%, respectively. While low-carbon energy is making strides, the continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels highlights an urgent need in Texas to focus on clean energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Texas?
The pattern of electricity consumption in Texas is gradually growing, reflecting a positive trend. In the latest year, the electricity consumption reached 18,535 kWh per person, surpassing the previous high of 18,385 kWh per person recorded in 2024 by 150 kWh. This growing trend is also evident in the domain of low-carbon electricity generation, which reached 7,190 kWh per person, marking an increase of 475 kWh from the previous record the year before. This data is hopeful, indicating a promising shift towards sustainable practices to meet the growing electricity demands. Still, the pace of transition towards greener energy sources must accelerate to counter climate change and ensure a sustainable future.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, Texas could benefit significantly from expanding its wind energy infrastructure, as wind as already providing more clean electricity than any other source. Looking globally to replicate successful practices, states and countries like Iowa and Denmark have achieved significant portions of their electricity from wind, 60% and 55% respectively. For nuclear, Texas can draw inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for more than two-thirds of their electricity generation. With ample sunlight, solar expansion should also be prioritized, learning from places like Nevada, where solar energy covers about 33% of electricity generation. By emulating these examples, Texas could make substantial advances in sustainable electricity production, thereby cutting fossil fuel dependency and fostering a greener future.
History
The evolution of low-carbon electricity generation in Texas has shown remarkable progress, especially in the last decade with enormous growth in wind energy. From 2008 to 2020, wind energy experienced a consistent expansion with an average annual growth of several TWh, peaking with an exceptional 15 TWh increase in 2022. During this period, solar energy saw significant development, especially from 2020 onward, matching wind's momentum with notable annual additions. For instance, between 2020 to 2024, solar energy increased annually by up to 13 TWh. These trends highlight Texas's commitment to increasing low-carbon electricity generation, and with continued investment in solar and wind capacity, the state is poised to strengthen its position in sustainable energy production. The growth trajectory underscores the importance of enhancing and expanding these clean energy sources to ensure clean energy goals are met in the future.
