Reflecting on the latest data from September 2024 to August 2025, Alabama's electricity consumption largely hinges on fossil energy, which accounts for a little over 60% of the state's electricity generation. Natural gas forms the backbone of this category, constituting nearly half of the total electricity mix on its own. Coal contributes about 15%, adding to the fossil dominance. On the other side, low-carbon energy sources constitute roughly 39% of Alabama's electricity consumption. The majority of this clean energy comes from nuclear power, which provides almost 30% of the electricity. Hydropower makes up about 6%, and biofuels contribute slightly over 2%. This composition suggests a reliance on fossil fuels but also a substantial contribution from low-carbon sources, indicating both challenges and potential in transitioning to more sustainable energy systems.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Alabama?
The trajectory of electricity consumption in Alabama, however, raises concerns. The latest numbers show an electricity consumption of 27,215 kWh per person, a marked decrease of over 5,350 kWh from the peak values recorded in 2011. Equally concerning is that low-carbon electricity generation in 2025 stands at 10,638 kWh per person, down by over 1,500 kWh when compared to the highest output in 2021. This decline in both total and low-carbon electricity generation is worrying because it signals stagnation at a time when increasing electrification and demands generated by technological advances require a robust energy supply, especially from low-carbon sources to combat climate change and support sustainability.
Suggestions
To revitalize Alabama's low-carbon electricity generation, an expansion of the existing nuclear capacity is a logical step given its substantial current contribution. Learning from regions and states with successful low-carbon tracks is also essential. France and Slovakia, with nuclear supplying 70% and 66% of their electricity respectively, serve as prime examples of what Alabama could achieve with enhanced nuclear investments. For incorporating solar energy, Nevada leads with a remarkable 33% of its electricity sourced from solar. California and Lebanon also offer scalable models with solar contributions nearing a third. These regions exemplify how Alabama could effectively diversify and expand its clean energy mix by embracing the capacity of nuclear and solar technologies to meet growing demands sustainably.
History
Throughout recent history, Alabama's low-carbon electricity landscape has experienced notable fluctuations, particularly in nuclear and hydropower contributions. In the late 2000s, Alabama struggled with a decline in hydropower, losing over 6 TWh cumulatively in 2006 and 2007, before slowly regaining its footing in subsequent years. Nuclear energy displayed a more volatile pattern, with significant increases in 2008 and 2019 but marked decreases in other years. For instance, 2022 saw a decrease of 3.7 TWh in nuclear generation, followed by a slight rebound in 2023. Such erratic trends indicate a pressing need for a stable and strategic expansion to ensure reliable low-carbon electricity generation that can support Alabama's future energy needs.
