Otis Singleton
Illinois has historically relied on nuclear and coal for its energy sources, with nuclear and coal accounting for 96% of Illinois's energy generation in 2001. However, the state is now moving towards renewable energy sources, with more than 61,000 homes expected to install rooftop solar in the coming years. As of 2019, Illinois's net electricity generation by source was 7% natural gas, 30% coal, 54% nuclear, and 10% renewables. The state is served by two electrical grids, ComEd and Ameren, and is a key energy hub for the nation, exporting more electricity than it consumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Energy Sources | Nuclear, coal, natural gas, wind, hydro, solar |
| Top 3 Energy Sources in 2012 | Coal (42%), Nuclear (35%), Natural Gas (19%) |
| ComEd's 2012 Energy Sources | 42% Coal, 35% Nuclear, 19% Natural Gas, 2% Wind, 1% Hydro, 1% Other |
| Ameren's 2012 Energy Sources | 68% Coal, 13% Nuclear, 10% Gas, 8% Renewables (7% Wind) |
| Net Electricity Generation by Source (as of March 2019) | 7% Natural Gas, 30% Coal, 54% Nuclear, 10% Renewables |
| Energy Transition | Aiming for 25% renewable energy by 2025 |
| Energy Jobs | Over 100,000 jobs in clean energy |
| Energy Exporter | Yes |
| Energy Hub | Yes, with natural gas pipelines, gas market centers, petroleum pipelines, and an oil port |
| Energy Consumption | Sixth-largest energy-consuming state in the US |
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What You'll Learn
- Illinois' energy sources have historically been nuclear and coal
- Renewable energy sources are incentivised by the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA)
- Illinois is a key energy hub for the US
- Illinois' electricity is supplied by two electrical grids, ComEd and Ameren
- Illinois is the sixth-largest energy-consuming state in the US
Illinois' energy sources have historically been nuclear and coal
Illinois has historically sourced its energy almost exclusively from nuclear and coal. In 2001, nuclear and coal accounted for a combined 96% of Illinois's energy generation, with nuclear power providing 35% and coal providing 42%. In 2012, these figures changed slightly, with nuclear power at 35% and coal at 68%. Illinois is a major electricity generator and is the fifth-largest electricity producer in the US. The state produces the most nuclear power in the nation, accounting for one-eighth of the country's total nuclear power generation.
Illinois has substantial coal reserves and is a key hub for crude oil and natural gas. The state's energy portfolio has traditionally lacked solar power, but this is changing. In 2017, nuclear and coal accounted for 85% of the state's energy generation, with solar power noticeably absent. However, with the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) in 2017, Illinois is transitioning towards renewable energy sources.
The state now has incentives to promote solar energy, and over 61,000 homes in Illinois are expected to add rooftop solar in the coming years. FEJA mandates that 25% of Illinois's energy come from renewable sources by 2025, and Illinois is the nation's top nuclear power generator and fifth-largest electricity producer. In 2023, Illinois generated 54% of its electricity from nuclear power and 31.58% from fossil fuels, including coal.
While Illinois has historically relied heavily on nuclear and coal for its energy needs, the state is now actively transitioning to renewable energy sources, with wind and solar power playing an increasingly important role in the state's energy mix.
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Renewable energy sources are incentivised by the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA)
Illinois has historically relied on coal and nuclear power to generate electricity, with these sources accounting for a combined 96% of the state's energy generation in 2001 and 85% in 2017. However, with the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) in 2017, the state has taken significant steps towards incentivizing renewable energy sources.
FEJA mandates that 25% of Illinois' energy must come from renewable sources by 2025, with a focus on wind and solar power. To meet these goals, the state's largest electric utilities, ComEd and Ameren, are required to purchase Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) from homeowners who install solar panels through the Illinois Shines program. This, coupled with federal solar tax credits, has made it more cost-effective for Illinois residents to adopt solar energy, with over 61,000 homes expected to add rooftop solar in the coming years.
The act also includes a "community solar" program, which allows consumers who cannot install their own solar panels to benefit from solar energy. This program enables participants to fund solar installations in their neighborhoods and share the resulting compensation credits. Additionally, FEJA devotes $750 million to programs that provide training for new energy jobs and help low-income customers, seniors, and disabled veterans afford their utility bills.
FEJA has not only incentivized renewable energy sources but also helped to preserve existing energy jobs in Illinois. The act prevented the closure of power plants in Quad Cities and Clinton, saving over 1500 jobs. It also set ambitious targets for reducing electricity waste, with ComEd and Ameren required to cut waste by 21.5% and 16%, respectively, by 2030.
Overall, the Future Energy Jobs Act has played a crucial role in transitioning Illinois towards renewable energy sources, creating new jobs, and lowering energy costs for residents.
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Illinois is a key energy hub for the US
One of Illinois's most notable contributions is its nuclear energy production. The state generates the most nuclear power among all the states, and nuclear energy has historically been a dominant source of electricity in Illinois. In 2012, nuclear energy accounted for 35% of the state's energy supply, and in 2023, it contributed about 13% of US nuclear power generation.
Illinois is also a major player in the crude oil and natural gas industries. Several crude oil and petroleum product pipelines cross the state, and Illinois is home to the Patoka Terminal crude oil storage hub, which has a significant storage capacity. The state ranks fourth in the nation in crude oil refining capacity, with its refineries processing nearly 1 million barrels of crude oil per day. Illinois also has substantial coal reserves, with the second-largest estimated recoverable coal reserves in the country, and its coal mines account for 6% of total US coal production.
In recent years, Illinois has been transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. The state has set ambitious renewable energy goals, with a mandate that 25% of its energy should come from renewable sources by 2025. Wind power has become the primary renewable resource for electricity generation in Illinois, with the state ranking fifth in the nation in utility-scale wind power generating capacity. Solar energy is also gaining traction, with over 61,000 homes expected to add rooftop solar in the coming years.
Illinois is a key exporter of electricity, generating more than it consumes. The state's industrial sector, including agriculture, accounts for a significant portion of its energy use, and Illinois is among the top five states in the market value of agricultural products sold. The state is also a leading producer of biofuels, with an annual production capacity of 1.9 billion gallons of ethanol and 192 million gallons of biodiesel.
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Illinois' electricity is supplied by two electrical grids, ComEd and Ameren
Illinois's electricity is supplied by two electrical grids: ComEd and Ameren. ComEd serves the northern portion of the state, while Ameren serves much of the Midcontinent region.
ComEd's 2012 statement showed that its top three sources of supply were coal (42%), nuclear (35%), and natural gas (19%). Wind accounted for 2% of its energy sources, while hydro and other sources each contributed 1%.
Ameren, on the other hand, derived 68% of its energy from coal, 13% from nuclear, 10% from gas, and 8% from renewables, with wind accounting for 7% of that.
Illinois has traditionally relied heavily on nuclear and coal for its energy generation. In 2001, these two sources combined accounted for 96% of the state's energy production. However, the state is now transitioning towards renewable energy sources. The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) mandates that 25% of Illinois's energy come from renewable sources by 2025, with solar being a significant component.
To meet these renewable energy goals, both ComEd and Ameren must purchase Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) from Illinois homeowners who install solar through the Illinois Shines program. This, along with federal incentives, has made it more cost-effective for homeowners to adopt solar power, with over 61,000 homes expected to add rooftop solar in the coming years.
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Illinois is the sixth-largest energy-consuming state in the US
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 11 other states, and some crude oil resources. Illinois is a major electricity generator and ranks as the sixth-largest energy-consuming state in the US. It is also the nation's eleventh-largest energy producer. The industrial sector, which includes agriculture, accounts for three-tenths of Illinois's total energy use. Chemicals, food and beverages, machinery, fabricated metal products, and computers and electronics are the largest contributors to the state's manufacturing GDP.
Illinois is the most populous state in the Midwest and the sixth-most populous state in the country. The state is home to Chicago, the third-largest city in the US, which is located in northeastern Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan. Illinois has the nation's fifth-busiest commercial airport and the second-largest rail network, with almost 7,000 route miles. It also has the third-largest number of interstate highways, after Texas and California, with about 2,200 miles of roadway.
Illinois is the eighth-largest consumer of natural gas in the US. The residential sector accounts for about one-third of the state's natural gas consumption, with almost 80% of Illinois households using natural gas for heating. The industrial sector is the second-largest natural gas-consuming sector in Illinois, making up one-fourth of the state's total consumption. The commercial and electric power sectors each account for about one-fifth of natural gas use.
Illinois is the nation's top nuclear power generator, producing the most nuclear power of any state. In 2023, nuclear energy accounted for about 54.89% of the state's electricity generation, while fossil fuels (including coal, natural gas, and petroleum) contributed 31.58% and renewables (such as wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass) made up 13.53%. Illinois is also a leading wind power supplier, ranking fifth in the nation in wind power capacity in 2023. The state has seen a significant increase in renewable energy production, with renewable resources generating 14% of its total in-state electricity generation in 2023, more than double the amount from a decade earlier.
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Frequently asked questions
Illinois has a unique electricity generation mix. As of March 2019, the state's net electricity generation by source was 7% natural gas, 30% coal-fired, 54% nuclear, and 10% renewables.
Illinois has passed legislation to incentivise the use of solar power, with over 61,000 homes expected to add rooftop solar in the coming years. The state also has a mandate to source 25% of its energy from renewables by 2025.
Illinois is the sixth-largest energy-consuming state in the US, with a strong industrial sector that includes energy-intensive industries such as petroleum refining and coal mining. Transitioning to renewable energy sources requires overcoming opposition from unions, farmers, and fossil fuel groups, as well as implementing nation-leading legislation. Additionally, when consumers switch to alternative suppliers promising "green electricity," it doesn't necessarily mean that the energy is generated locally or that it is easy to trace the source of power on a given day.
