Over the past 12 months, from April 2025 to March 2026, Wyoming's electricity consumption mostly revolved around fossil fuels, with fossil-based sources responsible for slightly more than two-thirds of the energy mix. Coal alone generated more than half of the state's electricity, showcasing its significant role in the overall energy profile. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources provided close to a third of electricity, with wind leading the charge at nearly 30%. Hydro and solar contributed modestly, with small shares around 3% and 1%, respectively. It's important to recognize this mix as Wyoming contemplates the future of its electricity landscape, especially in moving toward cleaner sources and tackling challenges posed by fossil energy use, such as climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Wyoming?

In examining Wyoming's electricity trends, it's concerning to see an overall decline in electricity consumption, from a record of 78,419 kWh per person in 2025 to 75,673 kWh now, marking a dip of about 2,745 kWh per person. However, there is a silver lining in this scenario: the generation of low-carbon electricity has seen an uptick. The latest figures show an output of 25,367 kWh per person, which means an increase of almost 1,400 kWh compared to last year. This rise in low-carbon generation is a promising development, underscoring the potential for sustainable growth amid the downward trend in overall consumption. It also highlights the opportunity for Wyoming to further expand its clean energy footprint, meeting future demand as electrification grows.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Wyoming should focus on expanding its wind energy capacity, as it already accounts for a significant portion of green energy output. This could be complemented by learning from successful regions. With states like Iowa and South Dakota generating 57% and 55% of their electricity from wind, Wyoming can harness its wind resources similarly. Additionally, considering the success of nuclear energy in countries like France and states like Illinois, where it serves as a cornerstone of energy generation, Wyoming could explore nuclear as a viable addition. Solar energy, too, offers significant potential; looking to states like California, which generates about 31% of its electricity from solar, Wyoming could actively develop its solar capabilities to complement wind and nuclear developments, driving its transition into a cleaner energy era.

History

Historically, the expansion of low-carbon electricity in Wyoming saw notable advancements in the last two years. Wind generation has consistently grown with an increase of 3.5 TWh in 2025, followed by an additional 0.7 TWh in 2026. Hydropower has also seen growth, though more modestly, contributing an additional 0.1 TWh in 2024 and 0.2 TWh in 2026. Such developments demonstrate a positive trend in the state's clean energy journey. However, to maintain its momentum and further reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Wyoming must strategically focus on developing both proven and emerging low-carbon technologies, continually adapting to meet the state's energy needs in a sustainable manner. By doing so, Wyoming will not only foster a cleaner environment but also pave the way for a more resilient and future-proof energy infrastructure.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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