In the past twelve months, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption in Wyoming has shown a strong reliance on fossil energy while also making notable strides in low-carbon electricity generation. Fossil energy, including primarily coal and natural gas, accounted for more than two-thirds of Wyoming's electricity consumption, with coal alone contributing almost 59%. While these numbers highlight a dependence on fossil fuels, there is a noteworthy movement towards cleaner energy options. Low-carbon electricity sources collectively made up nearly 28% of the state's electricity consumption, predominantly driven by wind power which alone accounted for close to a quarter. Other low-carbon sources like hydropower and solar energy together contributed almost 3%, emphasizing the incremental but crucial transition toward a more sustainable electricity landscape.
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Is Electricity Growing in Wyoming?
Despite Wyoming's substantial history of electricity consumption, recent data indicates a decrease in overall consumption levels. The latest figures, as of 2025, show an individual consumption of about 75,000 kWh annually, which is considerably below the 2013 record of approximately 90,000 kWh per person. This decline of around 15,000 kWh per person reflects a worrying trend, given the global push for electrification and the rising demand driven by technological advancements. However, a positive aspect emerges when examining the specifics of clean energy: low-carbon electricity generation reached nearly 21,000 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. The increase of roughly 2,500 kWh per person in low-carbon electricity generation showcases Wyoming's progress in expanding its clean energy portfolio, even amidst stagnating overall consumption.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Wyoming can strategically expand its existing wind capacity, a sector that is already significantly contributing to the state's clean energy supply. Drawing inspiration from successful regions, Wyoming could also focus on enhancing solar and potentially embracing nuclear energy. States like Nevada and countries such as Cyprus have seen solar power make up nearly a quarter to a third of their electricity generation, demonstrating the untapped solar potential Wyoming could harness. Furthermore, the successful use of nuclear energy in countries like France and neighboring US states like Illinois highlights the advantage of adopting nuclear energy as part of a low-carbon strategy. Leveraging these insights, Wyoming can significantly bolster its clean energy initiatives, driving a stronger move away from fossil dependency and reducing the associated climate impact.
History
Wyoming's low-carbon electricity journey has seen varied progress over the years. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, wind energy capacity saw remarkable growth, particularly with notable increases between 2008 and 2011. These years marked significant developments including steady expansions that brought cleaner energy scenarios into focus. However, the period also experienced fluctuations, as seen in the slight dips in wind energy generation in 2012 and 2015. The 2020s have proven to be a pivotal era for wind advancements, with a surge in generation noted in 2021 and followed by continued, albeit varied, growth through 2025. During the same period, solar energy began to make a modest entry, signaling an opportunity for diversification in Wyoming's energy mix. While hydropower has shown stability, there have been minor setbacks, emphasizing the necessity for consistent investment in clean energy progress to ensure Wyoming's renewable trajectory remains on track. Wyoming's path through these decades highlights the importance of sustaining momentum in the clean energy transition as the world increasingly moves towards a sustainable electric future.
