Over the recent twelve-month period, from September 2024 to August 2025, Rhode Island's electricity consumption has predominantly relied on fossil-based sources, with fossil fuels accounting for more than 86% of the total electricity generated. This heavy dependency is mainly driven by gas, which contributes close to the entirety of the fossil-fuel share. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources make up nearly 14% of Rhode Island's electricity consumption, with solar power leading this clean fraction. Utility-scale solar contributes about 7%, and behind-the-meter solar adds another 3%, collectively making solar the largest low-carbon electricity source in the state. Wind and biofuels trail behind, together contributing a little over 3% of the total generation. Insufficient as these low-carbon figures may appear, they highlight an opportunity for Rhode Island to significantly expand its solar and wind capabilities, thus reducing its reliance on polluting fossil fuels.

Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Rhode Island?

Presently, electricity consumption in Rhode Island is not growing; in fact, it is on a declining trajectory. Recently, average electricity consumption per person was recorded at 8,822 kWh for 2025, down from the previous high of 10,000 kWh per person in 2023. This reduction amounts to a decrease of 1,177 kWh per person, which is a matter of concern considering the state's heavy reliance on fossil-generated electricity. Moreover, the generation of low-carbon electricity has also seen a decline. The most recent low-carbon electricity per person was 1,231 kWh, a drop from the 2023 record of 1,314 kWh per person. This decrease by 83 kWh per person presents a challenge for meeting future electricity demands with clean energy, making it imperative for Rhode Island to adopt strategies to reverse this trend.

Suggestions

To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Rhode Island should prioritize the expansion of its solar infrastructure. Given the state's existing investment in solar, increasing utility and residential solar installations presents the most immediate opportunity for growth. Rhode Island can look to successful regions like Nevada, where solar accounts for 33% of electricity generation. Emulating this model could significantly boost Rhode Island's clean energy production. Furthermore, incorporating nuclear energy into the state's energy mix would greatly enhance its low-carbon profile, as seen in neighboring states like New Hampshire and Connecticut, each benefiting from substantial nuclear contributions to their grids. Recognizing the merits of both nuclear and solar energy, Rhode Island has the potential to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable electricity landscape.

History

Rhode Island's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has seen varied progress over the years. Notably, biofuels experienced a gradual increase in the early 2000s, gaining traction in 2006 with a rise of 0.1 TWh. However, this momentum was short-lived, seeing declines and stagnation in subsequent years. The wind sector displayed initial promise, adding 0.1 TWh in 2017, but since then, it has not experienced further growth. This lack of sustained progress in clean energy is disheartening and underscores the need for proactive investment and strategic policy-making to promote consistent growth in the low-carbon sector. The emphasis should now be on expanding solar and nuclear generation capacities to significantly bolster Rhode Island's clean electricity production, thus setting a strong foundation for a sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade