Utah's electricity consumption in 2025 is heavily dominated by fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of its electricity stemming from these sources. Coal remains the highest contributor within this category, accounting for nearly half of the total electricity generation, while natural gas accounts for just under a third. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources make up over a fifth of Utah's electricity generation. Solar energy is leading the low-carbon category, contributing almost 17% to Utah's electricity mix, with the majority coming from utility-scale projects. Other clean energy contributions come from wind, hydropower, and geothermal, each making up relatively small portions of the overall energy mix, around 2% or less.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Utah?
Utah is experiencing modest growth in electricity consumption, which increased to 11,116 kWh per person in 2025 from the previous record in 2024. This growth signifies an increase of 234 kWh per person. Similarly, the state's low-carbon electricity generation is also on the rise, reaching 2,483 kWh per person, up by 104 kWh from the previous year. While the increase in both total and low-carbon electricity consumption is encouraging, the pace needs to be significantly accelerated to ensure that clean energy can meet growing future demands and help mitigate the negative impacts of fossil fuel consumption, such as climate change and air pollution.
Suggestions
To further expand its low-carbon electricity generation, Utah would benefit from bolstering its solar installations, which have already shown substantial promise. Learning from regions like Nevada and California, where solar power makes up a significant portion of the energy mix, Utah could similarly increase its solar capacity to make it a more prominent part of its energy landscape. Additionally, with wind energy contributing notably to the electricity generation in states like Iowa and South Dakota, Utah should consider expanding its wind energy capabilities. Moreover, insights from countries with major nuclear contributions—like France and Slovakia—can guide Utah in exploring potential investments in nuclear energy, fostering a balanced and diversified low-carbon electricity portfolio.
History
Historically, low-carbon electricity in Utah has seen incremental growth from sources like wind and geothermal, especially in recent years. In 2024, wind energy saw a small but positive increase, while other categories like biofuels and hydropower remained stable with no change. Despite a minuscule decline in hydropower in 2025, wind energy continued its upward trend, albeit modestly. These gradual shifts underscore the need for more aggressive investments and policy incentives to accelerate the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable electricity generation system in Utah.
