In Utah, electricity consumption over the past year, from April 2025 to March 2026, has been composed predominantly of fossil fuels and low-carbon energy sources. Fossil energy, which includes coal and gas, accounts for more than two-thirds, with coal contributing about 40% and gas making up about 33%. On the low-carbon front, nearly a quarter of electricity is generated through solar, hydropower, wind, and geothermal sources. Solar energy is a major component here, providing almost 18% of the overall mix, most of which comes from utility-scale projects, while behind-the-meter solar contributes around 3%. The remainder is from hydropower, wind, and geothermal energy, though each individually makes up less than 3%. Net imports add around 4% to the electricity mix, rounding off Utah's electricity consumption profile.

Is Electricity Growing in Utah?

When examining whether electricity consumption is growing in Utah, the trend is positive, albeit only slightly. The latest statistics show electricity usage at 11,126 kWh per person, a small increase of 10 kWh per person over the previous year. This marginal growth signifies a steady demand and is an indication that electricity consumption is indeed increasing, albeit gradually. More importantly, there has been a more noticeable increase in low-carbon electricity generation, which has reached 2,604 kWh per person. This is an increase of 122 kWh from the previous record, signaling a positive shift towards greener energy sources within the state's electricity framework.

Suggestions

To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Utah should consider expanding its existing solar capabilities, given its already significant contribution to the electricity mix. Drawing from other regions' successes, incorporating nuclear energy into their portfolio could prove invaluable. States like Nevada have demonstrated the potential of solar, contributing over 30% to their electricity generation. Similarly, regions like Iowa and South Dakota rely significantly on wind power, generating over 50% of their electricity from this source. Although Utah's current wind share is modest, further investment could mirror these successes. Additionally, taking inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes upwards of 60% to electricity generation, Utah can pursue nuclear energy development to create a more diversified and robust low-carbon electricity supply.

History

Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity sources in Utah has seen minor shifts over recent years. In 2024, there was a slight increase in wind energy by 0.1 TWh, while other sources like biofuels, hydro, and geothermal, remained stable. The following year witnessed a reduction in hydropower by 0.1 TWh. However, both wind and geothermal stayed consistent with the previous year's figures. By 2026, there was an encouraging resurgence in hydropower generation, increasing by 0.2 TWh, while other sources remained steady. This gradual advancement indicates a growing, albeit sluggish, commitment toward clean electricity, which necessitates further acceleration and diversification, particularly in promising technologies like solar and nuclear.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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