Wiktor Wise
The sources of electricity vary depending on location. In the United States, the three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. In 2023, natural gas was the top source of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation, while nuclear energy was the third-highest source. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower are also increasingly being used to generate electricity. To check the sources of electricity in your specific location, you can start by contacting your utility provider or visiting the websites of regional transmission organizations or independent system operators that regulate the wholesale energy marketplace in your state or region. These organizations often provide near-real-time energy supply information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources of electricity in the US | Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy |
| US Electricity Generation by State | Texas produces 12.6% of the country's electricity |
| Solar energy | Made up 5.2% of all electricity in January |
| Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power plants | Provided about 4% of total US utility-scale electricity |
| Biomass | Source of about 1% of total US utility-scale electricity generation |
| Natural gas | Top source of about 43% of US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Coal | Fourth-highest energy source of about 16% of US electricity generation in 2023 |
| Petroleum | Source of about 0.4% of US electricity generation in 2023 |
| Nuclear energy | Third-highest source of about 18% of US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Renewable energy | Source of about 21% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Wind energy | Source of about 10% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Hydropower plants | Produced about 6% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Check your utility provider
Checking with your utility provider is a great way to find out the source of your electricity. Depending on where you live and the plan you choose, your electricity could come from multiple sources. These can range from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas to renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power, biomass, solar, and wind power.
Firstly, you need to identify your utility provider. If you have a recent energy bill, you should be able to find the contact details of your current energy supplier there. If you don't have a bill, you can find out who your network operator is and ask them for your supplier's details. You can also get your electricity Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN), which tells your energy supplier where your meter is, and your electricity supply number.
Once you know who your utility provider is, you can figure out the mix of resources they use. Some utility providers publish the mix of energy sources they draw from online, which can include renewable energy sources or fossil fuels. If you can't find this information online, you may need to contact your provider directly and ask them about their energy mix. Not all utilities publish this information, as some are only distributors of energy generated by separate companies.
If your utility company is vertically integrated, they generate their own power through sources like nuclear plants or wind farms and distribute it directly to their customers. On the other hand, some utility companies only distribute the power that different companies produce and may not have information on the specific energy sources.
If you live in an area served by a regional transmission organization (RTO) or an independent system operator (ISO), you can look up their website to find near-real-time energy supply information. These organizations regulate the wholesale market where distribution utilities buy their energy based on availability and cost. By checking these websites, you can determine the percentage of energy coming from different sources, such as natural gas, nuclear, or hydro.
Additionally, some utility providers offer a ""green power" option, allowing you to source renewable energy by connecting to community solar projects or purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). By checking with your utility provider, you can find out if they offer such options and make more environmentally friendly choices.
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Visit a regional transmission organisation's website
Regional transmission organizations (RTOs) are electric power transmission system operators (TSOs) that coordinate, control, and monitor multi-state electric grids in the United States. They are independent entities that ensure open access to transmission lines for sellers and purchasers of electricity, manage wholesale electricity markets, and maintain transmission system reliability. RTOs do not own the power plants that generate the power bought and sold in the market but exercise control over power generation by deciding which generators will run and at what levels. They also run the billing systems for payments for power.
RTOs were formed as some state regulators changed retail electricity market rules to encourage or require traditional vertically integrated utilities to sell their generation facilities. In regions without markets operated by an RTO, wholesale sales are conducted bilaterally, through direct contact and negotiation, voice brokers, or electronic brokerage platforms. The creation of RTOs was initiated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in December 1999 to promote economic efficiency, reliability, and non-discriminatory practices while reducing government oversight. An organization wanting to achieve RTO status must petition the FERC for approval and meet specific minimum characteristics and functions.
As of 2019, there were nine ISOs within North America, including the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which operates the Hydro One transmission grid for Ontario, Canada, and the New Brunswick System Operator (NBSO), which was dissolved when New Brunswick's new Electricity Act went into effect in October 2013. The ISO-NE operates in six states in New England, while PJM Interconnection is an RTO that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 US states and the District of Columbia.
RTOs have functional control of the transmission system in their footprint and provide valuable insights into the sources of electricity in their respective regions. By visiting an RTO's website, you can learn about the specific sources of electricity in that region, including the power plants and generation facilities that supply power to the grid. You can also find information about the transmission lines and infrastructure used to deliver electricity to consumers. Additionally, RTO websites may provide data on wholesale electricity markets, transmission service pricing, and regional planning for new transmission lines.
Therefore, visiting the website of a regional transmission organization can provide detailed information about the sources of electricity in a particular region, including the generation, transmission, and distribution processes involved in delivering power to consumers.
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Identify the energy mix in your state
The energy mix of a state is the combination of energy sources used to generate electricity. The energy mix varies from state to state, and it is influenced by factors such as policy preferences, needs, and available natural resources.
To identify the energy mix in your state, you can refer to official government sources, such as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which provides data and reports on energy production and consumption. For example, the EIA's "Electricity Generation Report" details the energy mix for each state using the most recent figures. Additionally, some news organizations, like the New York Times, may provide state-by-state breakdowns of energy production based on data from official sources.
You can also utilize interactive maps, such as the one provided by Carbon Brief, to visualize the nation's power stations and their relative electricity-generating capacities. This allows you to filter by state and fuel type to understand the energy mix in your specific state.
Furthermore, it is worth considering the broader trends in energy generation. For instance, natural gas has overtaken coal as the country's leading generation source, and renewables like wind and solar have been rapidly gaining traction. States with abundant wind and sunshine, such as Iowa and Texas, tend to have higher percentages of renewable energy in their energy mix.
By combining information from official sources, interactive maps, and staying informed about energy trends and policies, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the energy mix in your state.
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Understand the fuel sources
The United States uses a variety of energy sources and technologies to generate electricity. The three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum, are the most common fuel type for electricity production in the US. In 2022, natural gas was the primary fuel type, accounting for about 39.8% of total energy production nationwide. Coal was the second most common, at 19.7%, and petroleum accounted for 0.4% of US electricity generation in 2023.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy was the third-highest source of US electricity generation in 2023, at about 18%. Nuclear power plants use steam turbines to produce electricity from nuclear fission.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources accounted for about 21% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023. This includes solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy. In January 2025, solar energy made up 5.2% of all electricity in the US, with California producing the highest percentage of its electricity from solar energy. Wind power accounted for 10.9% of US electricity in January, with states along Tornado Alley being the top producers. Hydropower plants produced about 6% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023, while biomass and geothermal power plants contributed about 1% and less than 1% respectively.
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Compare with other states
The United States uses a variety of energy sources and technologies to generate electricity. The three major categories are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Each state has a unique energy mix influenced by natural resources, infrastructure, and state-level initiatives.
Midwest:
The Midwest, including Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, has some of the largest wind energy producers in the country. Iowa leads in wind energy, with over 40% of its electricity derived from wind power. Kansas also has a substantial wind portfolio. Illinois is a top producer of nuclear energy, while Indiana and Ohio still rely significantly on coal.
South:
The Southern states of Texas, Florida, and North Carolina have a unique energy mix dominated by natural gas but with growing solar and wind sectors. Texas is the largest energy producer in the country, with significant investments in wind energy. Florida has become a national leader in solar installations. North Carolina is also focusing on reducing its reliance on coal.
Eastern States:
States like Illinois, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina are top producers in terms of GWh/year. Illinois and South Carolina have nuclear as their primary electricity source, while Pennsylvania's electricity production from natural gas exceeds that of nuclear.
Hydroelectric Power:
Washington state depends heavily on hydroelectric power, contributing to its consistently low electricity rates. On a national scale, 6% of the US's electricity comes from hydropower.
Solar Power:
While no state primarily relies on solar power, California produced the highest percentage of its electricity from solar energy in January. States like Florida and North Carolina are also rapidly expanding their solar energy sectors.
Petroleum:
Petroleum accounts for almost 70% of Hawaii's energy generation, though its use is declining in the continental US.
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Frequently asked questions
You can visit the website of regional transmission organizations or independent system operators that regulate the wholesale energy marketplace in your state. If you live in a colored region on the map, your electricity is sold on a wholesale market regulated by an RTO or ISO. You can check out their websites to find near-real-time energy supply information.
The three major categories of energy for electricity generation in the US are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy.
Some examples of renewable energy sources used to generate electricity in the US include solar, wind, hydro (water), and geothermal.
In 2023, renewable energy sources accounted for about 21% of total US utility-scale electricity generation.
In 2023, natural gas was the top source of US utility-scale electricity generation, accounting for about 43%. Nuclear energy was the third-highest source, contributing about 18%, and coal was the fourth-highest, making up about 16%.
