Currently, electricity consumption in Washington, D.C. is characterized by an overwhelming reliance on net imports, making up more than 98% of total consumption from September 2024 to August 2025. This shows a significant dependence on electricity from external sources. Local electricity generation within this period was close to none, with a clear distinction between low-carbon and fossil energy types not reflecting prominently, since almost all electricity consumed in the district was imported. Consequently, Washington, D.C. currently lacks a significant footprint in producing its own clean or fossil electricity, which highlights the necessity for strategic planning to shift toward greater self-reliance and low-carbon generation.

Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Washington, D.C.?

Despite efforts to increase clean energy usage, electricity consumption in Washington, D.C. has experienced a downward trend compared to historical data. As of 2025, total electricity consumption has decreased to 15,236 kWh per person from the 2007 peak of 22,193 kWh per person, reducing by nearly 7,000 kWh per person. However, a silver lining is the growth in low-carbon electricity generation, reaching 137 kWh per person, which is an increase of 12 kWh from the previous record set in 2024. This signals a positive albeit modest shift towards cleaner electricity sources, given the overall decline in consumption. The data suggest the need for enhanced strategies to accelerate the growth of local low-carbon energy sources.

Suggestions

To ramp up low-carbon electricity generation, Washington, D.C. could draw lessons from regions excelling in nuclear and wind energy. States like Iowa and South Dakota have successfully tapped into wind power for a substantial portion of their electricity, producing 60% and 57%, respectively. Additionally, countries such as France and Slovakia have leveraged nuclear energy to supply almost 70% of their electricity needs. Adopting a diverse approach that includes both solar and nuclear energy could be beneficial for D.C. Given that many northeastern states in the U.S., including New Hampshire and Connecticut, are already utilizing nuclear power effectively, Washington, D.C. can consider similar initiatives to bolster its clean energy output and vastly reduce reliance on imported electricity.

History

Historically, the record on low-carbon electricity generation within Washington, D.C. has been rather stagnant, especially in recent years. Between 2016 and 2025, no changes in electricity generation from solar or biofuels were recorded, indicating a stagnant state in expanding green energy contributions. Despite technological advancements and rising awareness of environmental sustainability, Washington, D.C. has yet to make a significant leap towards increasing its capacity for clean energy generation. This is a critical concern, considering the city's potential to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future by adopting available innovations. A clearer, committed transition towards more solar and nuclear energy generation is essential to reshape the city's energy landscape for the better.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade