Over the past year, from June 2024 to May 2025, electricity consumption in Georgia, USA, has seen a diverse mix of energy sources. Fossil energy still accounts for the largest share, with nearly 49% of the electricity being generated from fossil fuels, including gas and coal. Gas alone makes up more than a third of this consumption at nearly 37%, while coal contributes just over 12%. On the other hand, low-carbon sources, which include nuclear, solar, biofuels, and hydropower, make up almost 42% of the electricity mix. Nuclear power is the dominant low-carbon source, generating nearly 31% of the total electricity. Solar, though still in its relative infancy, contributes a significant 6%. Moreover, the remaining portion comes from net imports, covering a little more than 9% of the demand. Overall, the balance between fossil and low-carbon electricity generation indicates a substantial shift toward cleaner energy sources, even though fossil fuels still hold a large share.
Is Electricity Growing in Georgia (US)?
In terms of electricity growth, Georgia has shown significant changes over the years. The latest data reveals a consumption of 13,946 kWh per person, a notable decline of 1,652 kWh from the historic high recorded in 2005. This drop suggests challenges or changes in energy consumption patterns. However, on a positive note, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a commendable improvement, with recent figures reaching 5,832 kWh per person. This breaks the previous low-carbon record from 2024, marking an increase of 87 kWh per person. While total electricity consumption has shrunk, the rise in clean electricity generation per capita is a step in the right direction, promising for environmental and climate goals.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation further, Georgia could consider expanding its existing nuclear capacity, which already plays a substantial role in the state's energy mix. Additionally, Georgia can learn from successful regions in clean energy generation. South Carolina and Illinois exemplify the effective expansion of nuclear energy, each generating over half of their electricity through nuclear power. Regarding solar energy, Nevada and Lebanon demonstrate the potential for substantial electricity generation from solar sources, contributing nearly 29% and 31%, respectively, to their electricity mixes. These states and countries offer valuable insights on how Georgia can pursue an even greater share of low-carbon electricity through continued investment in nuclear and increased solar infrastructure.
History
Historically, low-carbon electricity generation in Georgia has experienced various fluctuations, particularly with nuclear and solar energy. In the early 2000s, nuclear energy in Georgia saw some decreases, notably in 2005 and 2011. However, it quickly recovered in subsequent years, with significant increases, especially from 2013 onward. In the decade leading up to 2025, nuclear electricity saw a notable surge, particularly in 2024, which was a notable year with an increase of 10.6 TWh. Solar energy, despite its relatively recent introduction, exhibited consistent growth, with marked advancements from 2017 onwards. The continuous rise in solar generation attests to a positive trajectory in the state's commitment to low-carbon energy. This robust growth highlights the ongoing efforts to sustain and expand low-carbon electricity solutions, marking a promising outlook for Georgia’s energy future.