Over the last 12 months, from June 2024 to May 2025, Nebraska has demonstrated a considerable dedication to low-carbon electricity generation. Low-carbon sources account for more than half of the electricity consumption in the state, with around 51% derived from clean energy sources. Notably, wind energy stands out, constituting almost a third of the total electricity produced, reflecting its significant contribution. Nuclear energy also plays a crucial role, providing more than 15% of Nebraska's electricity in a robust demonstration of sustainability and reliability. Hydropower, while smaller in scale, adds another 3% to the low-carbon portfolio. On the other hand, fossil energy, largely from coal which makes up just over 42%, still represents a significant portion of Nebraska's electricity, followed by a much smaller contribution from gas at around 3%. Net imports provide an additional close-to-none share of 2.9%.
Is Electricity Growing in Nebraska?
Electricity consumption in Nebraska reveals a slightly concerning trend of stagnation as the latest figures indicate a decrease compared to past highs. In 2025, the average electricity consumption stood at 19,481 kWh per person, which is a reduction of 1,598 kWh compared to the 2015 record of 21,079 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation, while substantial, has seen a marginal decline. The current low-carbon generation per person is 9,855 kWh, down by 248 kWh from its peak in 2023. These numbers highlight the need for reigniting growth in both overall and low-carbon electricity usage, crucial for supporting the state's development and addressing climate concerns.
Suggestions
Nebraska can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by scaling up existing wind and nuclear facilities. These sources already contribute significantly to the state's clean energy mix and have the potential for expansion. Nebraska could learn from regions that have successfully bolstered their clean energy outputs. For instance, Illinois and South Carolina have substantial nuclear generation, providing more than 50% of their electricity sustainably. Similarly, neighboring states like Iowa have embraced wind power, with over 60% of their electricity coming from this clean source. By adopting best practices and technologies from these areas, Nebraska can expand its low-carbon resources, particularly looking into solar expansion to further diversify its energy portfolio.
History
Historically, Nebraska's low-carbon electricity landscape has seen a series of fluctuations, particularly in nuclear generation. In the early 2000s, there was noticeable instability with gains and losses, such as a reduction in 2005 by 1.4 TWh and subsequent increases and declines in later years. The early 2010s saw periods of growth in both nuclear and wind energy, marked by significant wind expansions in 2014 by 0.9 TWh and a subsequent increase in nuclear that year as well. From the mid-2010s onwards, wind showed consistent growth, particularly in 2019 and 2020. The recent downturns in nuclear, such as in 2022, however, underscore the need for stable and increased investments in nuclear energy, alongside wind and potentially solar energy developments, to ensure a sustainable and resilient energy future for Nebraska.