Over the past twelve months, specifically from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in the United States showcases a significant reliance on fossil energy, contributing to more than half (about 57%) of the total consumption. Within this fossil energy category, the majority is generated from gas, accounting for 40%, and coal, contributing about 16%. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources collectively provide nearly 43% of the total electricity. Nuclear energy leads within the low-carbon sector, generating over 17% of the electricity, followed by wind and solar with approximately 10% and 8%, respectively. Hydropower and biofuels make smaller contributions, adding close to 6% and 1% respectively, to the clean electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in United States?
When exploring the trends in electricity consumption, it's clear the United States has yet to recapture the peak consumption levels last seen in 2005, with the current average standing at about 13,002 kWh per person, which remains over 1,600 kWh less than the highest recorded level. Despite this variance, there's an encouraging expansion in the field of low-carbon electricity, with a new high of 5,522 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record with an increase of 183 kWh. This progress in clean electricity generation is pivotal as it addresses climate change and air pollution, fostering a shift away from detrimental fossil fuel dependency.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, the U.S. should consider enhancing existing nuclear plants and wind farms, which exhibit substantial contributions to the country's clean electricity portfolio. Learning from successful regions could offer strategic insights. France and Slovakia's impressive reliance on nuclear power—69% and 64% respectively—demonstrate the potential of expanding nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, states like Iowa and South Dakota set benchmarks with over 60% of their electricity from wind. Furthermore, exploring solar potential by drawing inspiration from the likes of Nevada and Lebanon, where solar accounts for substantial portions of electricity, could offer a roadmap for expanding this sustainable energy source across more states.
History
Throughout the history of low-carbon electricity in the United States, various trends have emerged. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed substantial growth in nuclear power, particularly in 1975, 1977, and 1988, when output increased by more than 60 TWh each year. Hydropower saw fluctuating changes, with significant increases during the early 1980s and sharp decreases during other years. The nuclear generation faced setbacks in 1997 and 2020, with declines over 48 TWh and 53 TWh respectively; however, recent advancements in solar, particularly notable in 2024 and 2025 with increases of over 50 TWh annually, highlight a promising shift towards sustainable energy. These historical trends underscore the need for continued investment and commitment to both nuclear and solar energy expansion, steering clear from any hesitance or decline in these pivotal sectors.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.