As of 2025, Wisconsin's electricity consumption is primarily fueled by fossil energy sources, accounting for just over 60% of the total. This is almost evenly split between gas and coal, each contributing around 30%. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity sources, which include nuclear, solar, hydro, wind, and biofuels, contribute approximately 26% to the state's electricity generation. Nuclear power is leading within this group, providing a little over 13% of the total electricity, while solar energy contributes more than 5%, most of which comes from utility-scale operations. Other low-carbon sources like hydropower, wind, and biofuels have smaller shares, together making up the remainder of low-carbon electricity generation. In addition to locally generated power, Wisconsin imports around 13% of its electricity from outside the state.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Wisconsin?
Electricity consumption in Wisconsin is on the rise. In 2025, the average consumption reached 12,950 kWh per person, breaking the previous record set in 2023 by 518 kWh. This indicates a growing demand for electricity in the state. There is also a positive trend in low-carbon electricity generation, which now provides 3,347 kWh per person, up from the previous record of 3,111 kWh per person in 2024. This substantial increase of 235 kWh highlights the state's ongoing efforts to shift toward cleaner, more sustainable electricity generation, which is crucial in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
Suggestions
To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Wisconsin could expand its existing nuclear infrastructure given nuclear's substantial contribution to the current energy mix. Additionally, valuable lessons can be drawn from other regions that have successfully integrated more low-carbon technologies. For instance, France and Slovakia rely heavily on nuclear energy, with nuclear providing around 67% and 66% of their electricity, respectively. States like Iowa and South Dakota, where wind energy contributes 58% to the electricity mix, serve as good examples of how wind power can be effectively harnessed. As solar energy in Wisconsin has shown potential, drawing inspiration from Nevada and California, where solar energy comprises over 30% of their electricity generation, could provide pathways for further solar expansion. The collective experiences of these regions suggest a robust expansion of nuclear and solar can significantly bolster Wisconsin's capacity to produce clean and sustainable electricity.
History
Over the past few years, Wisconsin has seen some growth in low-carbon electricity generation. In 2024, nuclear power increased by 0.5 TWh, and there were also modest increases in wind, hydro, and biofuels. Yet, in 2025, growth in nuclear and wind flatlined, showing no increase. However, biofuels and hydro saw a slight uptick. These recent figures highlight the need for greater innovation and development, particularly in expanding nuclear and solar capacities, to ensure that the state continues on a path toward low-carbon electricity production. While the utilities have maintained a certain level of low-carbon output, the current stagnation, particularly in nuclear, needs to be actively addressed to meet future demands and environmental commitments effectively.
