In Louisiana, the current state of electricity consumption heavily relies on fossil fuels, with gas and coal contributing to more than three-quarters of the electricity generated. Specifically, gas accounts for about 70% while coal adds another 4% to the mix. Low-carbon, or clean, energy sources make up approximately 18% of the total electricity, primarily driven by nuclear power at 14%, while biofuels and solar contribute roughly 2% each. With net imports accounting for around 6% of electricity usage, it's clear that the state still has a predominant reliance on traditional fossil energy, indicating a significant opportunity to improve the proportions of clean energy sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Louisiana?
Regarding growth, electricity consumption in Louisiana has seen a slight increase, with the latest measurement at 23,240 kWh per person, edging just above the previous record of 23,101 kWh in 2015. Despite this modest growth in overall usage, the amount of low-carbon electricity consumed per person, standing at 4,237 kWh, lags behind its historic peak in 2010, when it was 4,888 kWh per person. This is a cause for concern as the goals of reducing carbon footprints and embracing more sustainable energy solutions remain pressing.
Suggestions
Louisiana can considerably benefit from expanding its low-carbon electricity generation by focusing on nuclear energy, as demonstrated by states such as South Carolina and Illinois, where nuclear power contributes more than half of their electricity. Additionally, solar power holds significant promise. States like Nevada, with solar contributing to nearly 30% of their electricity mix, offer insights into how Louisiana might effectively increase its solar capacity. By learning from these regions, Louisiana can work toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, utilizing its existing capabilities and investing in technological advancements in both nuclear and solar electricity generation.
History
Looking back, Louisiana's low-carbon electricity generation, primarily from nuclear power, has seen fluctuations over the past decades. While there were significant increases in years like 2006, 2010, and 2020, the state also experienced substantial declines, notably in 2005, 2011, and between 2019 to 2023. However, recent years show promise with an increase of nuclear output by 2.5 TWh and a modest but positive contribution from solar, which increased by 0.9 TWh in 2024 and 0.6 TWh in 2025. These latest figures herald the potential for a positive trend in the increase of low-carbon energy, provided that Louisiana continues to invest in these sustainable and clean electricity sources.