Over the past 12 months, from September 2024 to August 2025, Indiana has seen a significant reliance on fossil fuels for its electricity, making up more than three-quarters of the state's electricity consumption. Coal remains a substantial source at 41%, closely shadowed by natural gas at nearly 35%. In contrast, low-carbon sources have contributed close to 15%. Leading the clean energy charge is wind energy, composing over 9% of the total consumption, while solar energy, though growing, sits at just over 5%. Notably, net imports also contribute to Indiana's electricity landscape, accounting for nearly 7%.
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Is Electricity Growing in Indiana?
When assessing the growth of electricity consumption in Indiana, signs point towards stagnation rather than growth, which is concerning in the face of rising future demands. The state's latest electricity consumption per person is approximately 16,299 kWh, marking a noticeable decline from its previous high of over 20,700 kWh in 2005. This indicates a decrease of about 4,465 kWh per person. However, there's a positive shift in low-carbon electricity generation, which has increased to 2,422 kWh/person from 2,072 kWh the previous year, highlighting a gain of 350 kWh. While the overall electricity consumption has decreased, any increase in low-carbon electricity is commendable, as it suggests gradual movement toward cleaner energy sources.
Suggestions
Indiana's low-carbon electricity generation could benefit from studying successful regions. Illinois is an apt example close to home, utilizing nuclear power for more than half of its electricity, demonstrating the potential for substantial low-carbon energy through nuclear. Similarly, Iowa thrives with wind, supplying 60% of its electricity, well above Indiana's wind share. Indiana should seriously consider adopting strategies to expand both solar and nuclear power, which are integral components of low-carbon energy, as seen in regions like Arizona with its significant solar capacity and France, where nuclear power provides a remarkable 70% of electricity. By fostering solar and nuclear projects, Indiana can position itself better in the transition to cleaner energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Looking back at Indiana's history of low-carbon electricity development, the state has seen varied progress. The late 2000s and early 2010s marked a period of growth in wind energy, with notable increases in 2009 and 2010 adding 1.2 TWh and 1.5 TWh, respectively. Progress continued with smaller increments in the years following, highlighting a consistent, albeit slow, expansion of wind capacity. Meanwhile, biofuels saw a small boost in 2006 but faced a decline in recent years. Unfortunately, hydroelectricity has consistently seen declines or stagnation. Though recent years showed mixed results in wind development, with a decline in 2023 followed by growth in 2024, the overall trend underscores the need for diversification and scaling up investment in sustainable, low-carbon sources like solar and nuclear to offset fluctuations and ensure a steady increase in clean electricity generation.
