Over the past year, spanning from June 2024 to May 2025, electricity consumption in Tennessee has shown a notable mix of energy sources. More than a third of the state's electricity needs are met through net imports, accounting for 35% of the consumption. Fossil fuels contribute about 34%, with coal and gas providing nearly equal shares at approximately 17% each. Low-carbon sources provide a significant portion of the electricity, totaling nearly 31%, driven primarily by nuclear power, which makes up a little under 23%. Hydropower, another low-carbon source, contributes around 6%. The current landscape shows that Tennessee relies heavily on both imports and fossil fuels, but clean energy sources, especially nuclear, play a substantial role.
Is Electricity Growing in Tennessee?
Examining the growth of electricity consumption in Tennessee reveals some downward trends. The latest total electricity consumption per person in 2025 is approximately 15,102 kWh, which signifies a noticeable decline from the peak of 18,256 kWh recorded back in 2005. This represents a decrease of over 3,000 kWh per person, signaling a potential slow-down in overall electricity growth. Furthermore, the state's low-carbon electricity generation also saw a decline, with recent figures showing 4,633 kWh per person compared to the record 7,293 kWh per person in 2020. This decline of almost 2,700 kWh indicates a concerning trend for clean energy development.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation in Tennessee, an expansion of existing nuclear infrastructure is an effective strategy. Nuclear energy already contributes significantly to the state's clean energy mix, and boosting this capacity could quickly amplify low-carbon electricity supply. Tennessee can learn from other regions where renewable resources effectively complement nuclear energy. For instance, states like Illinois and New Hampshire successfully leverage nuclear power, contributing over 50% of their electricity. On the solar front, regions like Nevada generate close to 30% of their power from solar energy, while countries such as Lebanon use solar to meet over 30% of their electricity needs. By learning from these successful models, Tennessee can build a more robust and sustainable low-carbon electricity framework.
History
Historically, Tennessee's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced several fluctuations, particularly in nuclear and hydropower. In the early 2000s, nuclear energy faced some setbacks, notably in 2006 when it decreased by 3.1 TWh. However, subsequent years, like 2007 and 2016, saw significant increases in nuclear output, by 4.0 and 4.6 TWh respectively. Hydropower has likewise seen its share of ups and downs, with notable dips in 2007 and 2010 followed by strong recoveries in 2009 and 2013. In recent times, the decline in nuclear generation by 5.8 TWh in 2024 and 7.0 TWh in 2025 is concerning. Addressing and learning from these historical trends is essential for enhancing the state’s low-carbon electricity future.