Over the year from June 2024 to May 2025, Iowa has made significant strides in utilizing clean electricity sources, with more than 65% of its electricity coming from low-carbon sources. Wind energy plays a dominant role, accounting for roughly 62%, making it the backbone of Iowa's clean energy profile. In contrast, fossil fuels still cover a sizable portion of the electricity mix, contributing about 35%, with coal responsible for just over 22% and natural gas at about 12%. Other low-carbon sources, such as solar and hydropower, contribute modestly, each providing close to none of the total electricity. This diverse energy portfolio underscores Iowa's commitment to reducing carbon emissions while continuing to rely on fossil fuels to a substantial degree.
Is Electricity Growing in Iowa?
Despite Iowa's strong focus on clean energy production, electricity consumption in the state has experienced a slight decline. In 2025, the average electricity consumption per person was 22,181 kWh, which is a dip of 606 kWh from the 2022 record. Low-carbon electricity generation per person also saw a decrease, down by 309 kWh from its 2022 peak of 14,792 kWh. This stagnation in growth could raise concerns about meeting future demands, especially as the need for increased electrification rises to support technological advancements and tackle environmental challenges.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Iowa could consider expanding its wind resources further, capitalizing on its already well-established infrastructure. Additionally, drawing inspiration from regions that emphasize solar and nuclear energy could be beneficial. For instance, Arizona is leading with nuclear power generation contributing significantly to their electricity supply, while regions like California have successfully integrated solar energy, generating around 20% of their electricity from it. Iowa could embrace a similar hybrid strategy to bolster its clean electricity supply reliably. Such diversification would provide multiple avenues to rid itself of fossil fuel dependence and establish a more stable and eco-friendly electricity ecosystem.
History
Iowa's history of low-carbon electricity generation, particularly through wind energy, shows a commendable growth trajectory, especially evident through the substantial increases in recent years. The late 2010s and early 2020s marked impressive wind capacity expansions, peaking with an addition of 8.7 TWh in 2022. Nevertheless, set against this backdrop of growth are indications of inconsistency, as seen with the reduction of 4.3 TWh in 2023. Nuclear energy has had a mixed record in the past, with fluctuations and reductions in its contribution, such as a decline of 2.3 TWh in 2020. Iowa's forward momentum in clean electricity generation is promising, yet the state must continue on this path vigilantly to ensure a sustainable and reliable electricity future.