Over the past year, spanning from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in West Virginia reveals a significant reliance on fossil energy. More than 90% of the electricity comes from fossil sources, with coal responsible for upwards of 85% and gas contributing nearly 7%. Low-carbon sources make up merely around 7% of the electricity generation. Within the clean energy category, wind leads with just over 4%, and hydropower accounts for close to 3%. This distribution underscores a predominant dependence on fossil fuels, highlighting a major opportunity to transition towards cleaner energy to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.

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

Is Electricity Growing in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, despite significant historical electricity consumption, which reached over 51,000 kWh per person in 2005, the latest figures show a notable decline to approximately 28,649 kWh per person, reflecting a decrease of almost 23,000 kWh compared to the peak. This downward trend in overall electricity consumption suggests stagnation or even regression, which can be concerning given the growing demand for electricity driven by advancing technology and the need to decarbonize. In contrast, the generation of low-carbon electricity has seen a slight increase, with the recent record reaching 2,104 kWh per person, 20 kWh higher than the previous peak in 2022. While this growth in clean energy is encouraging, it remains insufficient to significantly alter the overall energy mix.

Suggestions

To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, West Virginia can draw inspiration from successful regions worldwide. States like Iowa, where wind energy constitutes 60% of electricity generation, and countries like France, with nuclear contributing 70%, provide compelling models. West Virginia could significantly benefit from expanding wind and initiating nuclear projects, as demonstrated by other regions. Solar energy development, as seen in states like California, where solar makes up almost 30% of electricity generation, is another promising avenue. By harnessing the potential of these technologies, West Virginia can reduce its reliance on fossil energy while meeting future energy demands sustainably.

History

Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in West Virginia, the past couple of decades have witnessed modest fluctuations. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, wind energy saw incremental growth each year, while hydropower experienced mixed periods of slight increases and decreases. From 2017 to 2019, wind energy expanded marginally, but in 2021 it faced a setback with a minor decline. The most recent change occurred in 2024, where hydropower again saw a slight decrease. These developments highlight a lack of substantial, consistent investment in sustainable energy initiatives and emphasize the importance of strategic, forward-thinking planning to secure an increasingly green energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade