In Kentucky, from September 2024 to August 2025, electricity consumption heavily relied on fossil fuels, with coal and gas accounting for nearly 80% of the total electricity generation. More than half of the electricity was produced using coal alone, while gas contributed a little over a fifth. Net imports also played a significant role, making up about 13% of the electricity consumed. On the other hand, low-carbon sources such as hydropower and solar were responsible for almost 7% of the total electricity generation. Hydropower contributed close to 5%, making it the most significant clean source in the state, while solar power, including utility solar, accounted for just over 1.5%.

Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Kentucky?

Despite the dominance of fossil fuels, Kentucky's electricity consumption has seen a shift. In 2025, the per capita electricity usage in the state was 17,829 kWh, a decline from the peak seen in 2005 when it reached 23,809 kWh per person. This reduction of 5,980 kWh per person indicates a decreasing trend in overall electricity consumption. However, there has been a modest increase in the generation of low-carbon electricity. The latest data shows a generation of 1,231 kWh per person from clean sources, a slight increase from 1,208 kWh per person recorded in 2020, representing a positive shift towards greener energy solutions.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Kentucky can look to regions that have successfully leveraged nuclear, solar, and wind energy. Learning from states like New Hampshire and South Carolina, where nuclear power contributes over half of their electricity, can guide policy and infrastructure development in Kentucky. Similarly, Nevada and California's success with solar energy, resulting in roughly a third of their electricity from this clean source, provides a compelling example for Kentucky to follow. By investing in solar and nuclear technologies, the state can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a more sustainable and reliable energy future.

History

Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Kentucky reveals periods of both progress and setbacks. Since the mid-2000s, hydropower has seen fluctuations, with notable declines around 2005 to 2007 and slight recoveries towards the end of each decade, such as in 2009 and 2013. In recent years, from 2020 onwards, hydropower has experienced minor ups and downs, reflecting the instability in this energy source's contribution. The introduction of biofuels in 2014 offered a small boost, but overall, Kentucky's path to low-carbon electricity generation has been moderate and calls for a more sustained and strategic growth approach, especially in advancing nuclear and solar energy.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade