Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, North Carolina's electricity consumption has shown a diverse mix primarily driven by fossil fuels and low-carbon sources. Fossil-based electricity still accounts for a significant share, with natural gas contributing more than a third and coal accounting for around one-tenth of the total. Despite this dependency, low-carbon energy plays a substantial role, contributing over 40% to the state’s electricity mix. Within the low-carbon category, nuclear energy is a dominant player, generating close to 30% of electricity, while solar power, mainly utility-scale, adds roughly 9%, and hydropower contributes a modest 3%. Additionally, North Carolina relies on importing electricity, making up around 10% of its needs. Thus, while fossil fuels remain a primary source, the state shows a strong commitment to low-carbon electricity.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in North Carolina?
Turning towards growth trends in electricity consumption, North Carolina's 2025 per capita electricity consumption is 13,619 kWh, which is a decrease from its peak of 16,494 kWh per capita in 2004. This reduction of almost 2,900 kWh reveals a concerning stagnation in overall electricity consumption, which can hamper economic growth and electrification needs. Although low-carbon electricity generation stands at 5,703 kWh per person, it's slightly less than its previous peak of 5,926 kWh in 2020, indicating a minor drop of over 200 kWh. Such stagnation, particularly in clean energy, raises concerns about the state's ability to meet future demand and address climate goals. To continue on the path toward sustainability, North Carolina must boost its electricity generation capacity.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, North Carolina should consider expanding its existing nuclear facilities due to their ability to provide large-scale, reliable, and clean energy. Learning from successful regions, North Carolina could draw inspiration from France and Slovakia, where nuclear contributes a substantial share of their electricity. Additionally, exploring opportunities in expanding solar capacity, as seen in Nevada and California, which harness solar for over 30% and close to 30% of their electricity needs respectively, could help North Carolina significantly boost its clean energy capacity. By adopting strategies from these regions, North Carolina can ensure sustainable electricity growth and reduce reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change and pollution.
History
Reflecting on the historical shifts in low-carbon electricity generation in North Carolina, the early 2000s saw fluctuations, particularly in hydropower, which experienced declines in 2006, 2007, and 2011, with some recovery in 2009 and 2013. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, witnessed steady growth, with notable increases in 2009 and gains in subsequent years like 2015, 2016, and 2024. However, a slight decline in 2012 highlights areas that could have been bolstered further. Towards the later years, hydropower again faced challenges with decreases in 2021 and 2022 but showed potential with slight recoveries in 2020 and 2024. These trends underscore the importance of investing in robust low-carbon energy infrastructure to maintain consistent growth, especially in nuclear and solar, which are more resilient to the fluctuations that can affect hydropower.
