Over the last year, from September 2024 to August 2025, the state of Utah has shown a notable reliance on fossil fuels for its electricity production, with more than three-quarters of electricity coming from fossil sources. Coal alone accounts for roughly half of the electricity generated, while natural gas contributes just over a quarter. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources, which include solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal, collectively make up just over one-fifth of the total electricity generation. Most of this clean energy comes from solar power, which accounts for around 17% of the total, divided mainly between utility-scale solar and small-scale installations like rooftop systems. Other low-carbon sources such as wind, hydropower, and geothermal each contribute small shares that sum to nearly 5%. Despite this modest figure, it indicates a potential area for substantial growth, especially given the global momentum toward increasing low-carbon electricity generation.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Utah?
Examining whether electricity consumption is growing in Utah reveals that the current per capita electricity use stands at 11,018 kWh, which is a noticeable decline from the 2008 peak of 17,491 kWh. The decrease—over 6,400 kWh per person—demonstrates a slowdown possibly attributed to improved energy efficiency or changes in economic activity. However, Utah has seen a slight uptick in low-carbon electricity generation, with the latest year recording 2,425 kWh per person compared to the previous year’s 2,379 kWh. This represents a modest increase in the generation of clean energy, reflecting local efforts to embrace sustainable power sources even if overall electricity consumption hasn't shown growth.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Utah can significantly expand solar energy, which is already contributing sizably to the state's electricity. Learning from successful regions such as California and Nevada, Utah has the potential to harness solar opportunities, considering these states generate 29% and 33% of their electricity from solar, respectively. Additionally, exploring nuclear energy could be beneficial, as countries like France and Slovakia generate a remarkable 70% and 66% of their electricity through nuclear power. By taking inspiration from other regions such as Iowa and Denmark, which excel in wind energy generation, Utah could also explore its wind potential. Such endeavors could substantially increase the state’s low-carbon electricity share, contributing to environmental sustainability and mitigating the impacts of fossil-fuel-based energy.
History
Historically, Utah's journey toward low-carbon electricity has seen gradual shifts. In the early 2000s, hydropower played a pivotal role, with fluctuating contributions over the years starting with an increase in 2005 and subsequent declines and gains. Wind energy saw moderate growth in 2009 and 2010 but experienced fluctuations in later years. Geothermal energy began making contributions in 2014, with a slight dip in 2019. The state witnessed a more recent hydropower resurgence in 2023. Although these shifts have been relatively modest, they reflect a history of exploring diverse clean energy sources, indicating a foundation from which Utah can further launch its clean energy future. Emphasizing the development of robust solar and nuclear power sectors would be instrumental in ensuring that Utah meets and exceeds its clean electricity goals in alignment with global best practices.
