Over the past 12 months, from September 2024 to August 2025, New Jersey's electricity consumption has shown a significant leaning towards low-carbon sources. Low-carbon electricity contributes to over half of the total mix, with nuclear power making up almost a third of the state’s electricity at about 33%. Solar energy, though still a smaller portion of the mix, accounts for around 6.6%, divided between behind-the-meter (BTM) and utility-based generation. Fossil fuels and gas combine for about 69.5%, with gas comprising roughly 34.5% of fossil generation. Meanwhile, net imports account for close to a quarter of the state's electricity, indicating a reliance on external sources to meet demand. The state's embrace of low-carbon electricity highlights New Jersey's commitment to cleaner energy solutions, although there remains potential for strengthening this share to further decrease reliance on fossil fuels and imports.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New Jersey?
When analyzing electricity consumption trends in New Jersey, there is cause for concern. Electricity consumption in 2025 stands at approximately 8713 kWh per person, a noticeable drop from the peak consumption year of 2005, where it reached 10550 kWh per person. This represents a decline of nearly 1840 kWh per person. In parallel, low-carbon electricity generation has decreased from the 2017 peak, down from 4210 kWh per person to 3519 kWh per person, a fall of almost 700 kWh per person. Such decreases could indicate stagnation or even regression in the state’s electricity growth, despite the pressing need for increased clean energy to counteract climate change and air pollution.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation in New Jersey, it is crucial to expand existing nuclear facilities, since nuclear energy is already a substantial part of New Jersey's electricity. Additionally, New Jersey could draw lessons from international and domestic leaders in clean energy. France, with its 70% nuclear-powered electricity, offers a successful model for nuclear expansion. On the solar front, New Jersey could look to states like Nevada and countries like Lebanon, where solar power contributes significantly, accounting for 33% and 31% respectively. By strategically building more nuclear reactors and investing in solar infrastructure, New Jersey can significantly increase its low-carbon electricity generation, thereby reducing carbon emissions and bolstering energy independence.
History
Historically, New Jersey's journey with low-carbon electricity, specifically nuclear, has seen fluctuation. The early 2000s displayed strong growth with increases such as 4.3 TWh in 2005 and 1.2 TWh in 2006. However, subsequent years witnessed some setbacks, notably in 2016 when nuclear generation fell by 3.4 TWh, while biofuels saw a minor decline in 2019. There was a commendable resurgence in 2017, marked by a 4.1 TWh jump, reinforcing the potential of nuclear power. More recently, despite a slight decline in 2024, New Jersey's nuclear trajectory reflects its resilience and capacity to bounce back, forming a robust backbone for future low-carbon electricity expansion. This resilience offers a strong foundation for future enhancements and developments in the state’s nuclear and solar capabilities.
