MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota is demonstrating how sustained energy policy and investment can deliver results even as electricity demand grows. The newly released 2026 Minnesota Energy Factsheet, developed by Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) with research by BloombergNEF and data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, shows the state expanding in‑state power generation, maintaining affordability, and building a system prepared for future growth.

For the sixth consecutive year, zero‑carbon sources (renewables and nuclear) supplied a majority of Minnesota’s electricity. In 2025, these resources accounted for 55% of total generation, compared with a national average of 43%.

Highlights from the 2026 Minnesota Energy Factsheet include:

• Record-low power sector emissions: Minnesota’s power sector emissions held steady at the state’s all‑time low from 2024 to 2025.
• Reduced electricity imports: Imported electricity fell to 7% of total use in 2025, down from 9% in 2024, demonstrating stronger in-state energy production and reliability.
• Renewables remain central: Renewable energy generated about one‑third of Minnesota’s electricity in 2025. Over the past decade, coal’s share of the state’s energy mix fell from 39% to 24%.
• Energy efficiency leadership: Minnesota ranked No. 11 nationally and remained the top‑ranked state in the Midwest for overall energy efficiency, according to the latest American Council for an Energy‑Efficient Economy State Scorecard.
• Rising productivity: Since 2001, Minnesota’s energy productivity has increased 38%, including an 8% gain over the past five years.
• Consumer savings: Minnesota’s Energy Conservation and Optimization program saved enough energy in 2022 and 2023 to power more than 147,000 homes for one full year.
• EV registration growth: Minnesota set a record for annual EV registrations in 2025 and neared 100,000 total EVs registered as of January 2026.
• New capacity led by renewables: Minnesota added 264 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and 29 MW of natural gas generation in 2025. Renewables accounted for 98% of all new capacity added over the past five years.
• Emerging growth sectors: National sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production increased 111% year over year in 2025. Minnesota ended 2025 with 63 MW of live data center capacity, with an additional 397 MW committed or under construction.

“This year’s Minnesota Energy Factsheet shows what steady, long‑term commitment can deliver,” said Gregg Mast, Executive Director of Clean Energy Economy Minnesota. “Even as electricity demand grows, Minnesota is generating a majority of its power from zero‑carbon sources for the sixth straight year, holding emissions at record lows, and strengthening energy independence and affordability. The result is a reliable, cost‑effective energy system built for the next generation of growth and a clear model for others to follow.”

“Minnesota continues to set the standard for clean energy progress and energy efficiency across the country,” said Lisa Jacobson, President of BCSE. “America stands at the threshold of a major energy expansion, and states like Minnesota are showing the way, unlocking clean energy’s economic potential, driving down costs for consumers, and rising to meet growing demand.”

“At a time when families are focused on costs and communities are planning for the future, this factsheet shows that Minnesota’s clean energy progress is making a difference in people’s daily lives,” said Pete Wyckoff, Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Energy Division. “We are building a homegrown energy future that is more affordable, reliable, and cleaner.”

“Minnesota has a real opportunity right now to build an energy future that works better for everyone,” said Ben Passer, Midwest Climate & Energy Program Director at McKnight Foundation. “By bringing state and federal resources together and partnering across sectors, we can deliver cleaner air, more stable communities, good local jobs, and more economic opportunity—while showing the country what a strong, affordable clean energy future can look like. As Minnesota moves toward 100% clean energy by 2040, we can lead the way in making sure those benefits reach every community.”

“As a local provider, it’s incredibly rewarding to see that renewables accounted for 98% of all new capacity added in the last five years,” said Marty Morud, Owner and CEO of TruNorth Solar. “It reflects a massive shift toward energy independence for Minnesota families and businesses who are choosing the stability of solar and storage.”

“Minnesota’s clean energy transition is being accelerated by a new era of climate finance, where CPACE and creative capital stacking are making deep building decarbonization a financially viable reality for the state’s commercial and industrial sectors,” said Holly Huston, Vice President of Finance at the Saint Paul Port Authority.

“Minnesota’s progress this year proves the clean energy transition goes beyond adding renewables to building thermal energy networks and community-scale infrastructure necessary for a resilient, carbon-free economy,” said Luke Gaalswyk, President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy.

The Factsheet is a companion to the 2026 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, which provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the American energy transformation. Both resources are commissioned by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) with research by BloombergNEF. The Minnesota Energy Factsheet is made possible with the support of the Full Stack Saint Paul, Marsh, and the McKnight Foundation.

Download the 2026 Minnesota Energy Factsheet today.

Media Contacts

About Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM): CEEM is an industry-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit representing the business voice for clean energy in Minnesota. CEEM provides a unified voice for clean energy business across the state. Our mission is to provide educational leadership, collaboration, and policy analysis that accelerates clean energy market growth and smart energy policies. Learn more at cleanenergyeconomymn.org.

About the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE): BCSE is a coalition of companies and trade associations that deploy clean energy and decarbonization solutions, with a sector focus on energy efficiency, natural gas, and renewable energy. Established in 1992, the coalition advocates at the federal level for policies that advance the deployment of a broad portfolio of clean energy technologies. Learn more at bcse.org.

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