In the year 2024, electricity consumption in the United States presents a mixed picture of fossil and low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the electricity, 58%, is generated through fossil fuels, with natural gas being the predominant source at around 42%, while coal contributes about 15%. On the cleaner side, low-carbon energy forms almost 42% of the electricity mix. Notably, nuclear power makes up a significant portion of this at nearly 18%, underscoring its vital role in sustainable energy provision. Wind power contributes over 10%, while solar and hydropower offer approximately 7% and 5%, respectively. Biofuels, although categorically low-carbon, provide just a little over 1%, making their contribution relatively minor in the grand scheme.
Is Electricity Growing in United States?
Examining the trends in electricity consumption, it appears that overall usage in the U.S. is on a downward trajectory. The latest data for 2024 shows that electricity consumption per person is at 12,813 kWh, a reduction of almost 1,800 kWh from the 2005 record high of 14,606 kWh per person. Despite this decrease in total electricity consumption, it's noteworthy that there has been a positive development in low-carbon electricity generation, which now stands at 5,355 kWh per person, up by 290 kWh from the previous year. This increase is an encouraging sign that the U.S. is moving towards cleaner energy sources, yet the overall decline in electricity use raises concerns about growth trailing behind rising demands for electrification and the expanding digital economy.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, the United States should focus on expanding existing nuclear and wind capacities. By examining successful countries, the U.S. can gain insights into effective strategies. For instance, France and Slovakia rely heavily on nuclear energy, deriving 68% and 62% of their electricity from this source, respectively. The U.S. can consider these countries' models to further increase nuclear output. Similarly, Denmark and Ireland have leveraged wind power extensively, with 52% and 32% of their electricity coming from wind. Learning from these examples, the U.S. can boost the integration of wind energy into its grid. Furthermore, the U.S. should take note of how nations like Chile and Spain have enhanced their solar contributions, as increased solar capacity and nuclear expansion are pivotal to reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in the United States demonstrates fluctuating yet promising developments over the years. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, notable increases in nuclear power generation contributed significantly to the energy mix, with increments of around 62 to 75 TWh annually. The mid-1980s saw continued growth, but a significant decline occurred in the late 1990s, largely attributed to limitations and operational challenges facing nuclear energy. However, the new millennium ushered in renewed efforts, with wind energy making considerable gains by 2022 and recent robust growth in solar energy as of 2024. Although certain setbacks were seen in the 1997 and 2020 declines in nuclear generation, the upticks in clean energy deployment underline the potential for expanding these green technologies to secure a cleaner energy future for the nation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.