Over the past 12 months, from September 2024 to August 2025, Arizona's electricity consumption has displayed a nearly equal split between fossil and low-carbon energy sources. Fossil fuel-based electricity accounts for slightly more than half of the total, at 51%, with a significant portion—almost 44%—specifically coming from natural gas and about 7% from coal. Meanwhile, low-carbon sources contribute close to half of the electricity, at 49%. Within this category, nuclear power is the largest contributor, supplying around 26% of the total electricity, while solar power contributes a substantial 16%, which is split between utility solar at about 12% and behind-the-meter solar at around 5%. Additional contributions come from hydropower and wind, adding roughly 4% and 3% of the total electricity, respectively. This balance between fossil and low-carbon energy highlights Arizona's ongoing transition toward cleaner energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Arizona?
The trend in Arizona's electricity consumption suggests a decline over the long term. The latest 2025 figure stands at 16,022 kWh per person, which is a significant reduction from the previous high of 19,021 kWh per person recorded in 2008—indicating a decrease of nearly 3,000 kWh per person. Contrastingly, the low-carbon electricity generation has improved, with the latest figure reaching 7,894 kWh per person compared to 7,486 kWh per person just a year earlier, marking an increase of over 400 kWh per person. While this growth in clean energy is promising, the overall reduction in electricity consumption raises concerns about meeting future demands, necessitating continued investment and expansion in sustainable power sources.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation in Arizona, it is crucial to expand existing nuclear and solar capacities. Nuclear energy, which already plays a substantial role, should see increased investment, drawing from the examples of France and Slovakia, where nuclear contributes 70% and 66% of electricity, respectively. Additionally, enhancing solar power capabilities, inspired by Nevada's success with more than one-third of its electricity from solar, offers a practical pathway. Arizona can also learn from California's achievement in generating close to 30% of its electricity from solar. By focusing on such strategies, Arizona can secure a vast percentage of its electricity from clean energy sources, leading to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Arizona reflects a dynamic landscape. In the mid-2000s, nuclear power saw fluctuations, with declines in the early years but substantial increases in the following years, highlighted by significant growth in 2007 and 2008. The 2010s witnessed continued variability in nuclear but also emerging developments in solar, noticeable from 2012. During the same decade, hydropower experienced ups and downs, displaying a cyclical pattern of increments and decrements. More recently, wind energy began contributing to the energy mix in 2021 and 2024, indicating a diversification of clean energy sources. These shifts underscore Arizona's strategic efforts in broadening its array of clean energy and enhancing its sustainable electricity systems for future resilience.
