Washington already gets about 87% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—a major clean-electricity achievement. For the latest 12-month period, July 2025 through June 2026, hydropower supplied about 68% of electricity, nuclear almost 9%, wind about 8%, and solar just over 1%. Fossil fuels supplied roughly 13%, mainly gas at about 12%, with coal below 2%. Washington is also a significant net electricity exporter, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating, and industry, which will require much more clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Washington?

Electricity consumption per person is growing strongly and has reached a new record. The latest 2026 figure is about 14,000 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of roughly 13,200 kWh in 2023 by 871 kWh, or nearly 7%. Low-carbon electricity generation has also reached a new high of about 12,100 kWh per person, compared with approximately 10,500 kWh in 2025—an increase of around 1,600 kWh, or nearly 16%. These are encouraging gains: clean electricity generation per person is rising faster than consumption per person, supporting further electrification.

Suggestions

Washington can build on this success by expanding nuclear and solar electricity generation alongside its substantial hydropower supply. Maintaining strong output from existing nuclear capacity and developing additional nuclear generation would provide dependable low-carbon electricity for growing demand. More rooftop and utility-scale solar would diversify the electricity mix, while expanded transmission, storage, and grid connections would help deliver additional clean electricity where it is needed. These investments could support electric vehicles, heat pumps, industrial electrification, and AI infrastructure while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their associated air pollution and climate impacts.

History

The recent history shows substantial growth in low-carbon electricity, particularly from hydropower. In 2024, nuclear generation increased by 1.5 TWh and wind by 1.3 TWh, while hydropower slipped by 0.7 TWh and biofuels by 0.2 TWh. Hydropower then surged, adding 4.4 TWh in 2025 and another 10.9 TWh in 2026. Wind fell slightly in 2025 before edging upward in 2026, while biofuels remained unchanged in both years. Nuclear added 2 TWh in 2026, reinforcing its important contribution to Washington’s clean electricity supply. Sustaining and broadening these gains will be essential to meeting future electricity demand.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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