Over the past year, from June 2024 to May 2025, electricity consumption in Texas has predominantly relied on fossil energy, making up over 60% of the total. Within this category, gas alone accounts for half of Texas's electricity generation, while coal contributes roughly 12%. On the low-carbon front, Texas generates about 37% of its electricity from clean sources. Wind energy is the leader among low-carbon sources, producing nearly 22%, with solar closely following at 8% and nuclear providing around 7%. This mix indicates a significant dependency on fossil fuels, but a substantial portion still comes from low-carbon sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Texas?
Texas is currently experiencing a growth in electricity consumption. The latest figures show Texans consuming 18,209 kWh per person, slightly up from the previous year's record of 18,017 kWh per person, representing an increase of 192 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation is rising, with Texans now receiving 6,789 kWh per person from clean sources, up by 230 kWh from the previous year. Despite the increase, the pace might not be sufficient to outpace growing electricity demands, particularly as Texas's population and industrial base continue to expand.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Texas could consider expanding existing wind infrastructure, a sector already well-developed in the state. Drawing inspiration from Iowa, where wind contributes to an impressive 62% of electricity, Texas could aim for a similar target by harnessing its vast plains and favorable wind conditions. Additionally, enhancing solar capacity, similar to regions like Nevada and Arizona, where solar energy represents over a quarter of their electricity mix, could provide a robust supplementary source. Lastly, learning from nuclear power successes in states like Illinois and South Carolina, where nuclear energy forms over half of the electricity supply, Texas could also consider investing in more nuclear facilities, which can provide a reliable and steady output of clean energy.
History
Historically, Texas has shown a commendable growth trajectory in its low-carbon electricity generation, especially in wind and solar. The past decade saw significant increments, with wind energy experiencing notable yearly increases, particularly in 2016 and 2022, where it grew by approximately 13 and 15 TWh, respectively. Solar energy also saw major upticks in 2022 and 2024, adding around 7.5 and 11.4 TWh. However, these gains primarily came from wind and solar, indicating room for diversification into other low-carbon sources like nuclear. The persistent focus on expanding clean energy benchmarks the state’s commitment to sustainable energy development, although greater strides are needed to reduce the state’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate its environmental impacts.