From July 2025 through June 2026, net imports supplied more than three-fifths of Vermont’s electricity consumption, while low-carbon generation within Vermont supplied about 39%. Hydropower contributed around 18% of consumption, solar about 9%, biofuels about 6%, and wind about 5%. Solar included roughly 6% from behind-the-meter systems, such as rooftop installations, and 4% from utility-scale facilities. No local fossil electricity generation is listed, but the imported electricity is not broken down by source, so its low-carbon and fossil shares cannot be determined from these figures.

Is Electricity Growing in Vermont?

Electricity consumption in Vermont is growing: the latest 2026 figure reached about 9,800 kWh per person, roughly 200 kWh—or 2%—above the previous record set in 2025. However, local low-carbon electricity generation has not kept pace. At about 3,850 kWh per person, it was around 330 kWh, or 8%, below its 2023 record. Rising electricity consumption makes expanding clean generation increasingly important, particularly as electrification and AI create additional demand.

Suggestions

Vermont should pursue more solar, wind, and nuclear electricity to strengthen its low-carbon supply. Nearby examples are especially useful: nuclear provides 52% of electricity generation in the US state of New Hampshire and 36% in the US state of Connecticut, illustrating the substantial contribution nuclear could make through new development or regional cooperation. The US state of Maine generates 18% of its electricity from wind, offering a relevant regional example for expanding Vermont’s wind generation. For solar, Germany’s 20% share demonstrates that substantial deployment is possible outside exceptionally sunny regions. Expanding both rooftop and utility-scale solar, alongside wind and nuclear, would help Vermont meet growing electricity needs with clean generation rather than fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.

History

From 2024 through 2026, Vermont’s reported low-carbon electricity changes show a concerning decline in hydropower alongside little movement in wind or biofuels. Hydropower generation fell by about 0.3 TWh in 2024, followed by further declines of about 0.1 TWh in both 2025 and 2026—a cumulative reduction of roughly 0.5 TWh. Wind and biofuels recorded no change at the precision provided in all three years. These figures show why Vermont needs renewed momentum in clean electricity generation, although this short historical series does not include changes in solar or nuclear generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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