From July 2025 through June 2026, Pennsylvania relied on fossil fuels for almost two-thirds of its electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources supplied about 35%. Gas dominated at roughly 57%, with coal contributing another 7%. Nuclear was the backbone of clean electricity, providing almost a third of all electricity consumed. Solar and wind each contributed around 1.5%, leaving substantial room to expand these low-carbon sources.

Is Electricity Growing in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s electricity consumption is not currently growing: the latest 2026 figure was about 18,800 kWh per person, roughly 200 kWh—or 1%—below the record set in 2025. Low-carbon electricity generation, however, reached a new high of about 6,550 kWh per person, exceeding its 2025 record by 33 kWh, or about 0.5%. That modest clean-electricity gain is encouraging, but the decline in overall consumption underscores the importance of preparing for greater electricity demand from electrification and AI.

Suggestions

Pennsylvania should expand generation at its existing nuclear plants and consider additional nuclear capacity, building on its strongest low-carbon electricity source. Relevant examples include the US states of Illinois, where nuclear supplies about 49% of electricity, and South Carolina, where it supplies 52%; France’s roughly 67% nuclear share offers another example of large-scale clean generation. Pennsylvania should also accelerate solar deployment: the US state of Maine gets about 18% of its electricity from solar, while Germany gets 20%, offering useful examples beyond especially sunny regions. Wind can complement this expansion, with the US state of Illinois generating about 13% of its electricity from wind. Together, nuclear, solar and wind can increase clean electricity supply and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, whose use contributes to climate change and air pollution.

History

Across 2024–2026, Pennsylvania’s low-carbon electricity history shows small, uneven changes rather than sustained expansion. Nuclear generation increased by 0.1 TWh in 2024, fell by 0.4 TWh in 2025, and recovered by 0.3 TWh in 2026, leaving it essentially unchanged across the three years. Wind generation was flat in 2024, rose by 0.3 TWh in 2025, and declined by 0.1 TWh in 2026, for a net gain of 0.2 TWh. Hydro generation declined each year, losing 0.4 TWh in total, while low-carbon biofuel generation remained unchanged. These limited gains and overall stagnation are disappointing: Pennsylvania needs a stronger, sustained expansion of clean electricity, especially nuclear and solar, to meet future demand.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.