From November 2025 through October 2026, fossil fuels supplied more than half of electricity consumed in the United States—about 55%—while low-carbon sources provided roughly 44%. Gas accounted for around 39% and coal for 15%. Nuclear was the largest clean electricity source at nearly 17%, followed by wind at about 10%, solar at 9%, and hydropower at 6%. Solar included nearly 8% from utility-scale installations and about 2% from systems behind the meter, such as rooftop panels. Together, these low-carbon sources already provide a substantial foundation for replacing fossil-fueled electricity and reducing climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in United States?

The figures show encouraging growth in low-carbon electricity per person, but electricity consumption per person remains below its historical peak. The latest 2026 consumption figure is about 13,600 kWh per person, roughly 990 kWh—or 7%—below the 2005 record of around 14,600 kWh. By contrast, low-carbon generation reached a new high of nearly 6,000 kWh per person, exceeding the 2025 record by about 320 kWh, or 6%. That clean electricity growth deserves celebration, although the gap below peak electricity consumption highlights the importance of preparing for greater demand from electrification and AI. These per-person comparisons alone do not establish whether total national electricity consumption is growing.

Suggestions

The United States can increase clean electricity generation by expanding its established nuclear and wind industries while accelerating solar deployment. Successful US states offer especially relevant examples: nuclear supplies about 52% of electricity in both the US state of South Carolina and the US state of New Hampshire, and almost half in Illinois. France, where nuclear supplies roughly two-thirds of electricity, provides another useful example of large-scale nuclear deployment. Wind supplies close to 60% in the US states of Iowa and South Dakota, demonstrating substantial scope beyond the national share of about 10%. For solar, the US states of Nevada and California generate roughly one-third of their electricity from sunlight. Learning from these regions, expanding existing nuclear plants, building additional nuclear capacity, and deploying more wind and solar alongside stronger transmission networks would support rising electricity demand with low-carbon generation.

History

Historically, US low-carbon electricity has advanced through substantial nuclear additions, variable hydropower output, and more recent wind growth. Nuclear generation increased by roughly 60 TWh in each of 1975, 1977, and 1985, followed by gains of 76 TWh in 1988 and 50 TWh in 1990. Further increases of about 48 TWh in 1998 and 58 TWh in 1999 reinforced nuclear’s major contribution. Hydropower fluctuated considerably: declines of roughly 64 TWh in 1977 and 57 TWh in 1987 were followed by strong increases in 1978 and 1989, while 1982 and 1995 also brought substantial gains. A 65 TWh hydropower decline in 2001 preceded a 77 TWh rebound in 2002; a 58 TWh increase in 2011 was followed by a 46 TWh decline in 2012. More recently, wind added about 56 TWh in 2022—a welcome contribution that underscores the value of sustained expansion across clean electricity technologies.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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