From July 2025 through June 2026, West Virginia’s electricity consumption was overwhelmingly supplied by fossil fuels: about 94%, compared with just 6% from low-carbon sources. Coal alone accounted for roughly 86% of electricity, while gas supplied about 7%. Wind contributed around 3% and hydropower about 2%, making them the main identified clean electricity sources. This heavy dependence on fossil electricity leaves considerable scope for cleaner generation that reduces climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in West Virginia?

Electricity consumption per person is growing, reaching a record of about 30,800 kWh in the latest 2026 figures. That is 320 kWh per person, or roughly 1%, above the previous record set in 2025. Low-carbon electricity generation, however, has not kept pace: at 1,890 kWh per person, it remains 186 kWh, or about 9%, below its 2023 record. The new consumption high is encouraging as electrification and AI increase electricity needs, but the shortfall in clean generation is concerning.

Suggestions

West Virginia should pursue nuclear and solar development alongside additional wind generation to expand its low-carbon electricity supply. Nearby examples offer useful lessons: nuclear supplies around 31% of electricity in the US state of Pennsylvania and 17% in the US state of Virginia, demonstrating its substantial role in the region. West Virginia could learn from their nuclear expertise as it considers building its own capacity. For solar, the US state of Maine generates about 18% of its electricity from this source, showing that solar’s contribution need not be confined to the sunniest regions. Wind also has substantial potential to contribute: the US state of Iowa generates about 57% of its electricity from wind. These examples support a diversified clean electricity strategy, with nuclear and solar as major priorities and wind developed at suitable locations.

History

The available history shows repeated declines in West Virginia’s low-carbon electricity generation from 2024 through 2026. In 2024, hydropower fell by 0.2 TWh and wind by 0.1 TWh, while biofuels generation was unchanged. In 2025, hydropower declined by another 0.1 TWh and wind remained flat. The setbacks continued in 2026, when wind fell by 0.3 TWh and hydropower by a further 0.1 TWh. Together, the listed changes amount to a disappointing decline of 0.8 TWh, underscoring the need to reverse this trend through sustained growth in clean electricity 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.