From September 2024 to August 2025, Oregon’s electricity consumption has shown a significant reliance on low-carbon sources, making up more than half—62%—of the state's electricity. Hydropower stands out as the primary contributor, representing nearly 42%, while wind contributes close to 14%, and solar accounts for just under 5% of the electricity. Fossil energy is still a significant component, providing a little over a third, entirely from gas. These numbers indicate a heavy reliance on hydropower within the low-carbon mix, with room for growth in other clean energy sectors like wind and solar. Net imports and biofuels contribute minimally to the state's electricity consumption at about 3% and 1.6%, respectively, while solar contributions are slightly higher when both utility-scale and behind-the-meter sources are combined.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Oregon?
The current state of electricity consumption in Oregon suggests stagnation rather than growth. In 2025, the per-person electricity consumption is 15,548 kWh, barely below the historical peak in 2012 of 15,623 kWh. This marginal decrease, while seemingly small, is concerning in the context of increasing demands from electrification and emerging technologies like AI. More alarming is the reductions in low-carbon electricity generation per person, now at 9,642 kWh, down from the 2011 record of 12,344 kWh. The decline of 2,702 kWh per person suggests that despite existing commitments, Oregon’s clean electricity achievements are waning, highlighting an urgent need for innovation and expansion in this sector.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Oregon has the opportunity to significantly expand its wind power, given its already substantial contribution. Learning from Iowa and Denmark, where winds account for 60% and 59% of electricity, respectively, Oregon can look to enhance its wind infrastructure. Furthermore, considering successful solar implementations in states like Nevada, where solar accounts for 33% of electricity, Oregon could draw inspiration to tap into its solar potential. Lastly, while nuclear energy doesn’t currently play a role in Oregon’s electricity mix, examining the successful examples from states like New Hampshire, where nuclear power accounts for 54%, might offer insights into diversifying and strengthening Oregon's clean energy portfolio.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Oregon has been marked by fluctuations, especially in hydropower. The early 2000s saw significant variability, with notable decreases like the 2.1 TWh drop in 2005 and more substantial rises such as 6.9 TWh in 2006. More recently, from 2010 onward, hydropower has continued to experience ups and downs, with a massive spike of 11.8 TWh in 2011, followed by repeated declines, including a 6.3 TWh dip in 2013. Wind energy, first gaining attention in 2008, saw incremental increases, with notable growth spurts in 2020, adding 2.2 TWh. This historical overview underscores the need to stabilize and enhance low-carbon sources to ensure a sustainable and clean electricity future for Oregon.
