Over the period from September 2024 to August 2025, the United States' electricity consumption reflects an ongoing dependency on both fossil fuels and low-carbon energies. Fossil fuels still account for a significant portion of the nation's electricity supply, making up a little more than 57%. Natural gas alone contributes almost 40%, while coal supplies over 16%. Low-carbon electricity sources, which include nuclear, wind, solar, and hydropower, collectively generate about 43% of the electricity. Nuclear energy leads among low-carbon sources, providing over 17% of the total electricity. Wind and solar contribute to a smaller yet noteworthy share, with wind accounting for slightly over 10% and solar contributing nearly 8%. Hydropower also plays a role, albeit a smaller one, with almost 6% of the total electricity generation in this period.
Data sources used on this page include IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in United States?
Despite a marked decrease in average electricity consumption per person since 2005, the United States shows some positive trends, particularly in its low-carbon electricity generation. In 2025, electricity consumption is about 13,029 kWh per person, which marks a decline from the 2005 peak of 14,606 kWh per person—a drop of 1,576 kWh. However, the good news is that low-carbon electricity generation per capita has reached a new high in 2025, with figures of 5,559 kWh per person, up by 214 kWh from the previous record set in 2024. This indicates a growing commitment to low-carbon energy, although the overall electricity consumption has not yet reached its historic levels, showcasing an urgent need to bolster electricity generation further to meet future demands.
Suggestions
To accelerate the transition to low-carbon electricity, the United States can build on its successes in nuclear and wind energy and expand these capacities. Lessons can be learned from regions such as France and Slovakia, where nuclear power dominates the electricity sector, contributing more than 60%. Similarly, states like Iowa and Denmark have seen substantial success in wind power generation, where wind energy accounts for over 50% of their electricity. Solar power also shows promise as seen in regions like Nevada and Lebanon, where solar contributes more than 30% of their electricity. By fostering policies and investments aimed at enhancing nuclear and wind infrastructure, as well as considering solar energy's potential, the United States can further reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and increase the share of clean energy in its grid.
History
Throughout the history of low-carbon electricity in the United States, significant increases in nuclear power generation have occurred in various periods, notably in the mid- to late-20th century, when nuclear experienced substantial boosts. For instance, during the late 1970s and into the 1980s, nuclear generation surged, marking peaks in years like 1975 and 1985. In the years following, there were periods of decline but also rebounds, particularly in the late 1990s and 2010s. Hydropower has also seen fluctuations, with significant increases and decreases over the decades, contributing a stable, albeit smaller, share overall. More recently, wind power has surged in 2022, signaling a strong increase in clean energy generation. These historical trends should galvanize efforts to enhance low-carbon electricity sources to ensure a robust, sustainable energy future.
