Over the past twelve months, from June 2024 to May 2025, the state of Florida has heavily relied on fossil fuels for electricity, with more than three-quarters of its electricity—approximately 77%—stemming from fossil sources. Natural gas leads this consumption, accounting for around 74% of the total electricity generated. Despite the dominance of fossil energy, almost 20% of the electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources, which include solar and nuclear energy. Specifically, nuclear energy contributed about 11%, while solar power generated close to 8% of Florida’s electricity. Although coal's share is relatively small at just over 3%, it continues to be a part of the energy mix. Net imports provide a small boost of around 2%, and biofuels contribute just over 1%. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels poses challenges in terms of climate change and air pollution, underscoring the need for an increased share of clean energy.
Is Electricity Growing in Florida?
In terms of electricity consumption, the latest data for Florida shows a significant decrease when compared to historical records. With each person consuming approximately 11,466 kWh of electricity in 2025, Florida’s consumption has fallen by almost 2,000 kWh per person compared to the 2005 high of 13,273 kWh. This reduction indicates a notable decrease in overall electricity utilization. However, there is a positive trend in low-carbon electricity generation. The latest low-carbon electricity generation per person reached about 2,257 kWh, showing an encouraging increase from 2,175 kWh in 2024. This uptick in clean electricity generation highlights Florida’s progress in transitioning towards greener, sustainable energy sources, even if overall electricity growth seems sluggish.
Suggestions
To bolster Florida’s low-carbon electricity generation, expanding the state's existing nuclear infrastructure presents a compelling opportunity. Florida can draw inspiration from successful regions like France and Slovakia, where a substantial portion of electricity comes from nuclear power. Regions such as South Carolina and Illinois similarly highlight how nuclear energy can contribute significantly, with over half of their electricity stemming from this source. Additionally, Florida should look towards harnessing more solar power, learning from Nevada and Greece, which generate a significant portion of their electricity from solar energy. Collectively, these examples show that increasing nuclear and solar energy capacity can substantially raise the share of low-carbon electricity, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
History
Reflecting on the history of Florida's low-carbon electricity, nuclear power has seen fluctuations over the years. The early 2000s witnessed a rollercoaster of nuclear generation, with several years of decline including significant drops in 2010 and 2012, followed by a remarkable recovery in 2013 with an increase of nearly 9 TWh. Since then, nuclear energy has experienced modest growth, with stability in recent years. In contrast, solar energy has consistently shown growth beginning in 2018, with each subsequent year witnessing increases, hitting its peak growth in 2024 with an increase of 4.6 TWh. This pattern showcases Florida's gradual pivot towards solar, complementing its nuclear capabilities and forming a robust foundation for a low-carbon electricity future.