Over the 12 months spanning from April 2025 to March 2026, electricity consumption in West Virginia primarily leaned towards fossil energy. An overwhelming majority, more than 90%, of electricity came from such sources, with coal alone making up close to 87% and natural gas contributing about 7%. In contrast, low-carbon, or clean energy, accounted for just over 6% of the total electricity generated. This clean energy mix consisted of wind energy providing more than 3% and hydropower contributing a little over 2%. The clear reliance on fossil fuels highlights a substantial opportunity for West Virginia to transition towards a more sustainable energy portfolio, particularly given the urgent climate challenges posed by such dependency.

Is Electricity Growing in West Virginia?

West Virginia's overall electricity consumption per person has seen a slight increase, climbing to 30,709 kWh in 2026 compared to a previous high of 30,512 kWh in 2025. This modest rise of 197 kWh indicates that electricity consumption is experiencing growth in the state. However, the share of low-carbon electricity generation per person is on a worrying trend, experiencing a decline of 126 kWh per person from its previous peak in 2023 of 2,076 kWh. This reduction underscores a concerning disconnect where, despite a rise in overall electricity consumption, the proportion derived from clean energy is diminishing. It suggests a pressing need for strategic investments in sustainable sources to not only maintain but also enhance the low-carbon energy segment.

Suggestions

To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, West Virginia can look to regions with significant progress in harnessing clean energy. States like Iowa and South Dakota have achieved notable success, with wind energy accounting for over 50% of their electricity, showing the viability of wind power on a large scale. Similarly, France and Slovakia have leveraged nuclear power extensively, with over 65% of their electricity coming from this source, highlighting its potential for consistent, low-carbon electricity generation. West Virginia should take inspiration from these examples to invest in and expand its wind and nuclear power infrastructure. Additionally, incorporating solar power, exemplified by Nevada and California's robust solar contributions, can further diversify and strengthen West Virginia's energy portfolio, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in West Virginia reveals a lack of significant growth in recent years. In 2024, both hydropower and wind experienced a decline, with reductions of 0.2 TWh and 0.1 TWh, respectively. These decreases, unfortunately, continued into subsequent years; in 2025, hydropower saw a further minor reduction, while wind stagnated. By 2026, wind experienced another drop of 0.2 TWh, with hydropower maintaining its output without any increase. This pattern of decline and stagnation in low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, indicating a lack of momentum and investment in sustainable energy sources in West Virginia. Moving forward, it is crucial for the state to reverse these trends and commit to expanding its clean energy capacity to ensure a sustainable and secure energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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