Trystan Casey
Illinois is a major electricity generator and produces more nuclear power than any other state in the US, accounting for about 13% of US nuclear power generation in 2023. The state also has substantial coal reserves and is a key hub for crude oil and natural gas. In 2023, Illinois generated 54.89% of its electricity from nuclear power, 31.58% from fossil fuels, and 13.53% from renewables. Illinois has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires investor-owned electric utilities and alternative retail electricity suppliers to obtain increasing proportions of renewable power. The state is transitioning towards renewable sources, with wind as the primary renewable energy source.
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What You'll Learn
Illinois's electricity generation mix
Illinois has a unique electricity generation mix, producing more electricity than it consumes and exporting the excess to other states. As of 2023, Illinois's net electricity generation by source was approximately 53% to 55% nuclear power, 14% to 17% natural gas, 13% to 31% coal, 13% wind, 1% to 13% solar, 0.1% biomass, 0.1% petroleum and other gases, and less than 0.1% hydroelectric power.
Illinois is a key hub for crude oil and natural gas in the United States. The state also has substantial coal reserves, which are exported to other states and used for electricity generation. Illinois is a major electricity generator, producing the most nuclear power among the states and ranking as the fifth-largest electricity producer.
Illinois is transitioning towards renewable sources of electricity. In 1990, renewable energy accounted for only 0.23% of the state's total in-state electricity generation. In 2023, that figure had increased to 13% to 13.53%, with wind being the primary renewable energy source. The state has set a target of achieving 50% of electricity retail sales from renewable sources by 2040.
Illinois has a large number of clean energy jobs, with more jobs in this sector than in the state's real estate and accounting sectors combined. The state also has a significant number of solar projects in the works, which are expected to increase solar generation and help meet consumer demands and state climate goals.
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Nuclear power
Illinois is home to the world's first nuclear reactor, and nuclear power is the source of more than half of the state's energy. There are 11 nuclear power reactors at six sites across the state, with the state's nuclear fleet consisting entirely of large-scale nuclear reactors. The largest of these is the Byron Power Station in northern Illinois, which can generate up to 2,347 megawatts of electricity—enough to power over 1.7 million homes.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) Division of Nuclear Safety is tasked with ensuring the safety of people living and working near the state's nuclear power plants. The division monitors radioactivity in the environment surrounding nuclear facilities and inspects and accredits radiologic technologists, equipment, and facilities.
In November 2023, Illinois lawmakers eliminated the state's nearly 36-year-long ban on the construction of new nuclear reactors. The new legislation will allow for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) with an electrical output of up to 300 megawatts. Proponents of the change argue that SMRs will lower costs and accelerate the state's transition to clean energy. However, critics argue that SMRs are untested and may not be a viable solution.
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Fossil fuels
Illinois is a major electricity generator and has a unique electricity generation mix. As of 2023, 31.58% of Illinois's electricity is generated from fossil fuels, comprising coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases. The state is a key hub for crude oil and natural gas, and it also has substantial coal reserves. Illinois exports about one-fourth of the coal mined in the state to other states, primarily for electricity generation. In 2019, 30% of the state's net electricity generation was from coal, and in 2024, this figure decreased to 14.5%.
Illinois's industrial sector, including agriculture, accounts for three-tenths of the state's total energy use. The state's most important crops, corn and soybeans, are used as feedstock for many ethanol and biodiesel plants. Illinois is the third-largest ethanol and biodiesel-producing state, and its annual ethanol production is more than three times its consumption.
Illinois has over a dozen interstate natural gas pipelines, two natural gas market centers, and several petroleum and petroleum product pipelines. In 2019, 7% of the state's net electricity generation was from natural gas, and in 2024, this figure increased to 17.2%.
Illinois is transitioning towards renewable sources of electricity. In 2024, small-scale solar, which includes customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered an additional net of 1,925 GWh of energy to the state's electrical grid.
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Renewable energy sources
Illinois has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires investor-owned electric utilities and alternative retail electricity suppliers to obtain increasing amounts of renewable energy. The RPS target was increased in 2021 to require that 50% of electricity retail sales come from renewable sources by 2040, with interim goals of 40% by 2030. This will help Illinois reach its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The state's primary renewable energy product is biofuels, with Illinois being a leading producer of ethanol and biodiesel. As a major corn and soybean producer, Illinois uses these crops as feedstock for many ethanol and biodiesel plants. In 2023, wind power provided 85% of the state's renewable generation, and Illinois ranked fifth in the nation for installed wind power capacity.
Solar power is also an increasingly significant player in the state's renewable energy portfolio, with tens of thousands of new solar projects coming online. The largest solar power facility in Illinois, the 200-megawatt Prairie Solar Farm, came online in late 2021. In 2023, solar power generation accounted for 13% of the state's renewable electricity, with about three-fifths coming from utility-scale facilities and the rest from small-scale generation, such as rooftop solar panels.
Illinois also has many rivers, but the state's level terrain limits its hydroelectric potential. Biomass and hydropower together generated 1% of Illinois's renewable-sourced electricity in 2023. Waste and methane gas from municipal landfills fuel nearly all of the state's biomass electricity generation at 12 facilities with a combined generating capacity of 55 megawatts.
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Energy jobs
Illinois is a major electricity generator and a key energy hub for the US. The state's energy sector provides a significant number of jobs in clean energy, with more clean energy jobs than the state's real estate and accounting sectors combined.
Clean Energy Jobs in Illinois
Illinois has over 100,000 workers employed in clean energy jobs, with the majority (66%) working in energy efficiency roles. The state's renewable energy sector accounts for 20% of clean energy jobs.
The state's clean energy jobs include those in the following industries:
- Wind turbines
- Solar panels
- Biofuels
- Electric vehicles
Energy Sources and the Transition to Renewables
Illinois has a unique electricity generation mix, with nuclear power being the largest source, followed by fossil fuels and renewables. As of 2023, nuclear power generated 54.89% of Illinois' electricity, with fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases) contributing 31.58%, and renewables (wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass) making up 13.53%.
Illinois is the top nuclear power generator in the US, and its nuclear energy accounts for about 13% of the nation's nuclear power generation. The state also has substantial coal reserves and is a key hub for crude oil and natural gas.
However, Illinois is transitioning towards renewable sources, with wind being the primary renewable energy source. In 1990, renewables accounted for only 0.23% of the state's electricity generation, but by 2023, this had increased to 13.53%. Solar power generation is also growing, with tens of thousands of new solar projects contributing to the state's renewable energy goals.
The Future of Energy Jobs in Illinois
Illinois has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, aiming for 50% of electricity retail sales to come from renewable sources by 2040. The state also has a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
To achieve these targets, Illinois will need to continue investing in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure. This includes maximizing investment in energy efficiency, regaining its position as a top state for wind production, and becoming a top solar-producing state.
The state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) will play a key role in driving the transition to renewables and creating more clean energy jobs. The RPS requires investor-owned electric utilities and alternative retail electricity suppliers to increase the proportion of renewably-sourced power they sell.
With its abundant natural resources, strong agricultural sector, and commitment to renewable energy, Illinois is well-positioned to be a leader in clean energy and provide a growing number of energy jobs in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Illinois generates more electricity from nuclear power than any other state, with nuclear power accounting for 54% of the state's electricity generation in 2023.
Illinois has a diverse electricity generation mix, including fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), renewables (wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass), and crude oil.
Illinois has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires an increasing proportion of electricity sales to come from renewable sources. The target is to reach 50% by 2040. Illinois is also a leader in clean energy jobs, with over 100,000 workers employed in the sector.
