Nebraska's electricity consumption from September 2024 through August 2025 demonstrates a balanced mix of low-carbon and fossil energy sources. During this time, a little under half of the electricity, or 49%, came from clean energy sources, including wind (nearly 30%), nuclear (over 15%), and hydropower (close to 3%). On the other hand, fossil energy accounted for nearly 47% of electricity consumption, with coal being the dominant source at about 44% and natural gas representing just over 3%. Net imports contributed a modest 4% to the state's electricity, showcasing its ability to generate most of its energy needs domestically. The reliance on coal remains notable, yet the substantive contributions from wind and nuclear illustrate Nebraska's progress towards clean energy solutions.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Nebraska?
Despite the robust efforts in ensuring a diversified energy mix, total electricity consumption in Nebraska is experiencing a slight downturn. In 2025, electricity consumption per person stood at 19,895 kWh, which represents a decrease of 1,185 kWh from the record high of 21,080 kWh per person recorded in 2015. This decline is paralleled in the realm of low-carbon electricity generation, which dropped to 9,748 kWh per person, down by 380 kWh from the 2023 peak of 10,128 kWh per person. This reduction, while concerning, presents a valuable opportunity for Nebraska to reevaluate its energy trajectory and implement innovative strategies to encourage growth particularly in the clean energy domain.
Suggestions
For Nebraska to effectively boost its low-carbon electricity generation, expanding existing nuclear and wind capabilities would be prudent paths to follow. Looking beyond state borders for inspiration, Iowa's success in generating 60% of its electricity from wind power, and Illinois' significant 51% from nuclear, presents valuable models of targeted clean energy growth. Given Nebraska's current experience with both wind and nuclear electricity generation, increasing these capacities can align with the worldwide trend of reducing dependency on fossil fuels, helping to combat climate change and decrease air pollution. Additionally, exploring the successful application of solar energy in states like Nevada and California, might offer further avenues for sustainable growth, tapping into Nebraska's potential for solar energy expansion.
History
Historically, Nebraska's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has been marked by periods of fluctuation, particularly in nuclear power development. Since the mid-2000s, there have been both gains and setbacks. For instance, significant contributions were observed in 2007 with a 2 TWh increase in nuclear production and 2014 with an impressive surge of 3.2 TWh. Conversely, the state experienced setbacks in years like 2011, when nuclear capacity decreased by 4.1 TWh. However, wind energy has shown a promising trajectory of growth throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, particularly with notable advancements in 2017, 2019, and a significant leap of 3 TWh in 2022. These historical trends underscore the importance of steady investment and supportive policies to stabilize and enhance Nebraska's low-carbon electricity production.
