Arkansas's current electricity consumption as of May 2025 reveals a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, comprising over 63% of the aggregate consumption. Breaking this down further, more than a third comes from gas, while coal contributes nearly 28%. Yet, Arkansas is making strides toward a cleaner energy future, with almost 37% of its electricity stemming from low-carbon sources. Nuclear power leads this category, providing almost a quarter of the state's electricity, while solar and hydropower both contribute just over 5% each. Biofuels play a minimal role with around 1% of electricity generation. This snapshot of Arkansas's electricity landscape, from June 2024 to May 2025, underscores the significant role fossil fuels continue to play, although there is potential for growth in clean energy.
Is Electricity Growing in Arkansas?
The trajectory of electricity consumption in Arkansas is on a downward trend, with current usage at 19,660 kWh per person, a decline from the 22,575 kWh per person recorded in 2018. This is a significant drop of about 2,915 kWh per person, indicating a reduction in total electricity usage. Low-carbon electricity generation has also decreased, from a peak average of around 7,611 kWh per person in 2004 to 7,209 kWh per person. This 402 kWh reduction is concerning, as it highlights challenges in expanding Arkansas’s clean energy footprint. The data suggests Arkansas is consuming less electricity overall, and particularly less from low-carbon sources, which are critical for a sustainable energy future.
Suggestions
To expand its low-carbon electricity generation, Arkansas could consider increasing its investment in nuclear energy, a sector already producing substantial amounts of clean electricity for the state. Learning from other regions, Arkansas can draw insights from France’s impressive 69% nuclear electricity generation and states like South Carolina and Illinois, which rely on nuclear for more than half of their electricity. Additionally, solar energy offers immense potential. States like Nevada and countries like Greece have significantly tapped into solar resources, generating close to 30% of their electricity from the sun. By bolstering its solar and nuclear sectors, Arkansas can not only enhance its low-carbon energy production but also reduce its carbon footprint substantially.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Arkansas, the state has seen fluctuations, particularly in nuclear and hydropower generation. In the mid-2000s, there were declines and subsequent rebounds in nuclear electricity, with notable reductions in 2005 and 2008, offset by increases in other years. For hydropower, a reduction in 2006 was followed by growth in subsequent years, like 2007 and 2008. More recently in the 2020s, solar energy has made positive strides, adding 1.4 TWh in 2024 and another 1 TWh in 2025. These advancements highlight the importance of investing in and stabilizing low-carbon electricity sources, particularly nuclear, which remains a powerhouse in the region's clean energy lineup.