United States Electricity Mix
The United States generated 25.6% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025, below the world average of 33.8%. Each kilowatt-hour produced emitted about 384 grams of CO₂.
Data year 2025 · Source: Ember and Energy Institute via Our World in Data
How much electricity in the United States comes from renewables?
Renewable sources produced 25.6% of the electricity generated in the United States in 2025. The world average was 33.8% in 2025. That is up from 9.2% in 2000. That ranks the United States 114th of 210 countries and territories by renewable share.
Electricity mix by source
Gas is the largest source of electricity in the United States, at 40.0% of generation, followed by nuclear at 17.4% and coal at 16.3%. Fossil fuels together supplied 57.0% and nuclear 17.4%.
Carbon intensity of electricity
Generating one kilowatt-hour of electricity in the United States emitted about 384 grams of CO₂ in 2025, 16% below the world average of 458 g. At that rate, a business using 10,000 kWh a year would be responsible for roughly 3,844 kg of CO₂ from electricity.
This is an estimate based on the generation mix. For a formal carbon report, use the grid factor published by the national energy or environment agency. Our guide to emission factors explains the difference.
How the United States compares
Countries closest to the United States when ranked by renewable share of electricity. See the full ranking, or the CO₂ emissions of the United States.
| # | Country | Renewables | Low-carbon | g CO₂/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | France | 26.1% | 94.9% | 41 |
| 113 | Martinique | 25.8% | 25.8% | 530 |
| 114 | United States | 25.6% | 43.0% | 384 |
| 115 | Kiribati | 25.0% | 25.0% | 500 |
| 116 | Vanuatu | 25.0% | 25.0% | 500 |
Frequently asked questions
What share of electricity in the United States is renewable?
25.6% in 2025. That is up from 9.2% in 2000. Counting nuclear as well, 43.0% of electricity came from low-carbon sources.
What is the main source of electricity in the United States?
Gas is the largest source of electricity in the United States, at 40.0% of generation, followed by nuclear at 17.4% and coal at 16.3%.
How clean is electricity in the United States?
Generating one kilowatt-hour emitted about 384 grams of CO₂ in 2025, 16% below the world average of 458 g.
Is renewable electricity growing in the United States?
The renewable share has risen by 16.4 percentage points, from 9.2% in 2000 to 25.6% in 2025.
About the data. Shares are percentages of the electricity generated inside the country in a year. Renewables are hydro, wind, solar, bioenergy and other renewable sources. Low-carbon adds nuclear. The latest year differs between countries and is shown on each page. Carbon intensity is an estimate of the CO₂ emitted per kilowatt-hour generated, including emissions over the life of each power source.
Source: Ember and the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence.
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