Nuclear Energy Generation by State

Dobresum/iStock/Getty Images

Nuclear power accounted for 18.3% of the electricity generated in the U.S. in May 2026, according to the most recent monthly data available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Choose Energy’s August 2026 Nuclear Energy Generation Report compares nuclear electricity generation by state using May 2026 EIA data. The tables below show state rankings, monthly and annual changes, and nuclear power’s share of each state’s electricity mix.

Illinois generated more nuclear electricity than any other state in May 2026, producing 8,227 thousand MWh. Pennsylvania ranked second with 6,014 thousand MWh, followed by Alabama with 4,100 thousand MWh. Together, the top 10 states accounted for 63.6% of U.S. nuclear generation that month.

U.S. nuclear electricity generation increased 13.3% from April to May 2026, reaching 65,001 thousand MWh. New Hampshire recorded the largest percentage increase, rising from 86 to 713 thousand MWh, while Virginia recorded the largest decrease at 7.4%.

Generation figures are shown in thousand megawatt-hours (thousand MWh). States with no reported utility-scale nuclear generation in May 2026 are excluded from the nuclear generation rankings and comparisons: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.

U.S. nuclear electricity generation increased 4.6% from May 2025 to May 2026. Louisiana recorded the largest percentage increase at 165.1%, while Florida recorded the largest decrease at 40.4%.

Annual changes compare May 2025 with May 2026. Missouri and Washington are excluded from the annual percentage comparisons because their May 2025 generation values do not support meaningful percentage calculations.

Nuclear power accounted for 18.3% of U.S. electricity generation in May 2026. New Hampshire had the highest nuclear share at 59.5%, followed by New Jersey and Illinois at 55.5% each. These percentages compare nuclear generation with total utility-scale electricity generation in each state.

Are you a journalist or researcher writing about nuclear electricity generation who needs more information or historical data? Invalid shortcode name">Send us details about what you need, and we’ll get back to you with an answer and a relevant quote from one of our energy experts.