Oregon relying on more renewable energy as overall demand grows,report shows

Hydropower remains Oregon’s largest source of energy, providing nearly 34% of the state’s power. Out-of-state electricity imports from unspecified sources, often natural gas or coal, make up another 21% of the overall share of power used in the state, and power known to be coming from natural gas makes up 21% of the mix. Wind powers 8% of the state’s electricity and solar provides 5%. Nuclear, biomass and geothermal energy contribute to smaller shares of the mix. 

Oregon has significantly reduced its reliance on coal over the past decade, according to the report. In 2016, 28% of Oregon’s energy mix came from coal. The most recent available data from 2024 shows that has fallen by more than two-thirds, to just about 8%. 

A 2021 state law mandates that Oregon’s largest electric utilities reduce their greenhouse gas pollution to 80% below 1990s levels by 2030 and 90% below 1990s levels by 2035.

Transportation accounts for more than a third of all energy consumption in Oregon, followed by industrial use — such as  semiconductor manufacturing and agriculture —- which accounts for another 24% of the state’s overall use. Commercial energy consumption, which includes data centers, has increased from 16% of statewide power use in 2022 to 20% in 2024 — a record, according to the report. 

Residential energy use makes up the remaining 19% of Oregon’s energy consumption. 

To read the report, visit the Oregon Department of Energy website.

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