Trystan Casey
Massachusetts consumes more electricity than it produces, meaning it sources electricity from other states and countries. In 2022, natural gas was the primary source of electricity in Massachusetts, followed by nuclear power and renewables. The state has ambitious clean energy goals, aiming for 35% of its total electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2030, increasing by 1% each year thereafter. Massachusetts is a leader in solar energy production, with solar accounting for 19% of its electricity production in 2020 and 24% in 2023. Other sources of electricity in the state include hydropower, biomass, wind, and petroleum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Sources | Natural gas, solar energy, hydropower, biomass, wind, petroleum, nuclear power, oil, coal |
| Electricity Consumption vs Production | Massachusetts consumes twice as much electricity as it produces |
| Clean Energy Goals | 35% of total electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2030, increasing by 1% every year thereafter |
| Net Zero Goal | Planning to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 |
| Regional Grid | Part of Independent System Operator (ISO) New England, which includes Rhode Island, Vermont, New England, Maine, and Connecticut |
| Energy Efficiency | Ranked among the top 10 states in energy efficiency in the US |
| Hydroelectric Power Plants | 29 conventional hydroelectric power plants and 2 pumped storage facilities |
| Solar Energy | Ranked 10th in the nation in net generation from solar energy in 2023 |
| Wind Power | Developing wind projects in federal offshore areas with a goal of 5,600 megawatts by 2027 |
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What You'll Learn
- Natural gas is the primary source of electricity in Massachusetts
- The state has ambitious clean energy goals, with a target of 35% renewable energy sources by 2030
- Massachusetts is a national leader in solar energy production
- Hydroelectric power is the third-largest renewable energy source in the state
- Massachusetts has no crude oil production, reserves, or refineries
Natural gas is the primary source of electricity in Massachusetts
The state's reliance on natural gas for electricity production has increased due to the decline of coal, oil, and nuclear power. The last coal-fired power plant in Massachusetts closed in 2017, and the state's only nuclear power plant shut down in 2019. Natural gas is cleaner than coal, but it is still a major source of emissions like carbon dioxide and methane. Massachusetts is taking steps towards a clean energy future, with ambitious goals for renewable energy sources. By 2030, 35% of total electricity sales in the state must come from renewable sources, increasing by 1% each year thereafter.
Massachusetts is a leader in solar energy production and one of the top ten solar states in the country. In 2023, solar energy accounted for 24% of the state's total in-state electricity net generation, up from 19% in 2020. Small-scale solar, including rooftop solar panel systems and customer-owned photovoltaic panels, is particularly prominent in the state. In 2024, small-scale solar accounted for two-thirds of Massachusetts's total solar capacity and delivered an additional net of 4,064 GWh to the state's electricity grid.
Hydropower is also an important source of renewable electricity in Massachusetts, with the Connecticut River providing the state with hydroelectric power capabilities. In 2020, hydroelectric power generated the third-largest amount of renewable energy in the state, and in 2023, it was the second-largest source, accounting for about 5% of the state's total net generation. Massachusetts has 29 conventional hydroelectric power plants and 2 hydroelectric pumped storage facilities. Biomass has also been used for renewable energy generation in the state for decades, and in 2023, it was the third-largest source of renewable-sourced electricity, providing about 4% of the total in-state electricity generation.
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The state has ambitious clean energy goals, with a target of 35% renewable energy sources by 2030
Massachusetts has set itself ambitious clean energy goals, with a target of 35% of total electricity sales from renewable sources by 2030, increasing by 1% each year after that. The state is committed to leading the clean energy transition and has a comprehensive plan to achieve aggressive emissions reductions by 2030.
The Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030 (2025/2030 CECP) is a crucial initiative by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reduce emissions and combat climate change. The plan aims to minimize reliance on fossil fuels and maximize the use of clean energy sources. It is informed by the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap, which outlines strategies to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Massachusetts is taking significant steps to transition to clean energy and reduce its environmental impact. The state has embraced renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, and has invested in energy efficiency (EE) programs. In 2020, solar energy accounted for 19% of the state's electricity production, and Massachusetts is now one of the top ten solar states in the country. The state also has 29 conventional hydroelectric power plants and 2 pumped storage facilities, with hydropower being the second-largest source of in-state renewable electricity in 2023. Massachusetts also has a growing offshore wind industry, with projects in development that will contribute to its clean energy goals.
To support these ambitious targets, Massachusetts has a strong foundation of clean energy businesses and a skilled workforce. The state is home to over 7,500 clean energy businesses and has the highest percentage of clean energy workers per capita in the US. Massachusetts is also investing in training and education to prepare its residents for the new jobs that the clean energy industry will bring.
The state's commitment to clean energy is evident in its goals and initiatives, and it is taking proactive steps to achieve its target of 35% renewable energy sources by 2030.
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Massachusetts is a national leader in solar energy production
Massachusetts has ambitious clean energy goals and is a national leader in solar energy production. The state has implemented various initiatives and programs to promote the use of solar energy and reduce its carbon emissions.
The state has set a goal of producing 40% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. To achieve this, Massachusetts has been investing in solar energy projects and providing incentives for residents to adopt solar power. For example, the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program, established in 2018, has driven significant solar deployment in the state. The state also has a robust program for solar installations on closed landfills, with over 80 projects and a capacity of more than 250 MW.
Massachusetts ranked 11th in the nation for solar power generation in 2024, according to the Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center. The state has also shown strong growth in battery storage capacity, with 290 megawatts of installed capacity as of 2024, supporting the use of more renewable energy.
The town of Harvard, Massachusetts, leads the state in solar installations, with 75 planned and 21 already installed. The state has also seen a surge in the number of all-electric vehicles registered, with a total of 68,842 in 2023, ranking 12th in the nation.
Massachusetts is taking important steps towards a clean energy future and is committed to reducing its carbon emissions. The state's efforts in solar energy production and adoption are contributing significantly to its renewable energy goals.
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Hydroelectric power is the third-largest renewable energy source in the state
Massachusetts has ambitious clean energy goals. The state has committed to generating 35% of its total electricity sales from renewable sources by 2030, with a 1% increase each year after that. In 2023, renewable resources provided 34% of Massachusetts's total in-state generation, with solar energy being the largest source.
Massachusetts is a national leader in solar energy production and one of the top ten solar states in the country. In 2023, solar energy accounted for 24% of the state's total in-state electricity net generation, with small-scale (less than 1-megawatt) solar photovoltaic (PV) systems accounting for two-thirds of the state's total solar electricity generation. In 2024, distributed small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered an additional net 4,064 GWh to the state's electricity grid.
Massachusetts also has several wind projects in development, with the state intending to solicit proposals for 5,600 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2027. In addition, biomass has been used for renewable energy generation in the state for decades and was the third-largest source of renewable electricity in 2023.
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Massachusetts has no crude oil production, reserves, or refineries
Massachusetts, like most states, sources its electricity from a variety of energy sources. The state has ambitious clean energy goals, aiming for 35% of its total electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2030, with a 1% increase every year thereafter.
The state's electricity production primarily relies on natural gas, which fuelled about two-thirds of electricity production in 2020. However, the state also has a notable focus on renewable energy sources. In 2020, solar energy accounted for 19% of all electricity produced in Massachusetts, and the state is one of the top ten solar energy producers in the country. Massachusetts also has a significant number of solar installations, with utility-scale, residential, and commercial solar systems in place.
Hydroelectric power is another important source of renewable energy for Massachusetts. The Connecticut River, which traverses the state, provides the region with hydroelectric capabilities. In 2020, hydroelectric power was the third-largest source of renewable energy in the state, and it continues to play a significant role in the state's energy mix.
Massachusetts also utilizes biomass for renewable energy generation, which has been a source of power in the state for decades. In 2023, biomass was the third-largest source of renewable-sourced electricity in Massachusetts, contributing about 4% of the total in-state electricity generation.
While Massachusetts has a diverse energy portfolio, it is important to note that the state consumes more electricity than it produces. To meet this demand, additional electricity is sourced from out-of-state sources. Despite this challenge, Massachusetts is committed to transitioning to cleaner energy sources and has set a goal of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Notably, Massachusetts has no crude oil production, reserves, or refineries. The state receives refined petroleum products from refineries in the United States, Canada, and other countries, which are transported to Boston Harbor by ship or barge. Additionally, two small-capacity petroleum product pipelines supply central Massachusetts from ports in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity in Massachusetts comes from a variety of sources, both renewable and non-renewable. The state consumes more electricity than it produces, so it also sources electricity from out-of-state.
Renewable sources of electricity in Massachusetts include solar energy, hydropower, biomass, and wind.
Non-renewable sources of electricity in Massachusetts include natural gas, petroleum products, and nuclear power.
In 2023, renewable resources provided 34% of Massachusetts's total in-state generation, with solar energy being the largest contributor. In 2024, solar energy accounted for 10.9% of the state's electricity generation.
Massachusetts has ambitious clean energy goals and incentives to promote the use of renewable energy sources. By 2030, 35% of total electricity sales in the state must come from renewable sources, increasing by 1% each year after that. The state also has a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires electricity providers to generate a minimum percentage of their power from renewable sources.
