In the time period from September 2024 to August 2025, Wisconsin's electricity consumption relied heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to about 65% of the total energy mix, with gas making up slightly more than half of that and coal accounting for almost the other half. Low-carbon or clean energy sources comprised nearly 26% of the electricity generated. Nuclear energy emerged as the strongest low-carbon source, providing above 13% of overall electricity. Other low-carbon sources like solar, hydropower, and wind supplied modest portions, each adding around 5%, 3%, and 3% respectively, while biofuels contributed a bit over 1.5%. Additionally, net imports accounted for close to 9.5% of the energy consumed in the state.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has witnessed a decrease in electricity consumption compared to past records. As of 2025, the state's per-person electricity use stands at approximately 12,315 kWh, which is more than 1,000 kWh less than the peak consumption observed in 2007. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a decline, with current figures at 3,151 kWh per person, dropping from its high in 2012 where the generation was at 3,330 kWh per person. This reduction in both overall and low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, especially in light of the growing need for more clean energy to mitigate climate change and air pollution risks associated with fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Wisconsin should consider bolstering its nuclear capacity, which already serves as a significant low-carbon source in the state. Learning from regions with high low-carbon outputs offers valuable insights; for instance, France, Slovakia, and Ukraine generate over half of their electricity from nuclear energy, demonstrating its viability at scale. Additionally, Wisconsin can explore opportunities in wind energy by looking towards neighboring states like Iowa and South Dakota, where wind power contributes significantly to their energy mix at 60% and 57%, respectively. Similarly, states like Nevada and countries such as Chile leverage abundant sunlight to make solar a significant part of their energy strategy, providing up to 30% and 24% of their electricity, respectively. Combining these practices could significantly propel Wisconsin’s low-carbon electricity generation forward.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Wisconsin reveals a fluctuating pattern, especially concerning nuclear energy. Throughout the early to mid-2000s, nuclear generation showed mixed trends, with significant increases in certain years like 2006 and 2012 interspersed with declines, notably in 2005, 2013, and 2014. Other low-carbon sources like wind and hydro experienced slight increases during this period. In recent years, solar has shown promise with its notable generation growth in 2024 and 2025. This mixed history, coupled with recent growth in solar, underscores the potential benefits of sustained investment and expansion in nuclear and solar technologies to secure a more stable and significant low-carbon electricity supply in Wisconsin.
