Electricity Prices
Kentucky's average electricity price is 11.2 cents per kWh, below the national average, thanks to abundant coal and natural gas.
Electricity price per kWh (South region)
1979–2024BLS Average Price Data, annual average (APU030072610).
Natural gas price for power plants
1997–2006U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, price delivered to electric power consumers (N3045KY3).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity price (¢/kWh) | 11.2 | 12.9 |
Energy Production
Kentucky remains one of the most coal-dependent states, though its historic coalfields have declined sharply, with natural gas and renewables growing.
Natural gas marketed production
1967–2024U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, marketed production (N9050KY2).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Coal share (%) | 68 | 16 |
- •Kentucky was historically one of the top coal-producing states, though output has fallen sharply since 2010.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy (mostly hydroelectric) accounts for about 8% of Kentucky's electricity generation, below the national average.
Renewables share of total energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, renewable energy (RETCB) ÷ total energy consumption (TETCB).
Renewable energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all renewable sources (RETCB), consumption in billion Btu.
Hydroelectric power
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, hydroelectric power (HYTCB), consumption in billion Btu.
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Renewables share (%) | 8 | 21 |
Solar Energy
Solar energy remains a very small share of Kentucky's electricity mix, though several utility-scale solar farms have been announced in western counties.
Solar energy consumption
1989–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, solar, all uses (SOTCB), consumption in billion Btu.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is negligible in Kentucky, which lacks the strong sustained wind resources found in the Great Plains.
Natural Gas
Natural gas supplies about 22% of Kentucky's electricity generation, a growing share as coal plants retire.
Residential natural gas price
1967–2025U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, price delivered to residential consumers (N3010KY3).
Natural gas consumption
1997–2024U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, total consumption (NA1490_SKY_2).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas share (%) | 22 | 43 |
Energy Consumption
Kentucky's energy consumption is dominated by industrial manufacturing, especially automotive assembly and aluminum smelting.
Total energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sources (TETCB), consumption in billion Btu.
Transportation sector energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (TEACB), consumption in billion Btu.
Natural gas consumption
1997–2024U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, total consumption.