Does New England rely on natural gas for about half of its electricity? | Fact brief

New England has relied on natural gas for about half of its electricity generation in recent years.

In 2025, about 55% of the region’s energy generation came from natural gas, according to regional power grid and wholesale market operator ISO New England, while 25% came from nuclear power, 13% from renewables such as wind and solar, about 6% from hydropower, just 1% from oil and less than a quarter percent from coal.

Maine relies more on renewable sources than New England as a whole, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported. In 2024, natural gas fueled 41% of the state’s energy generation, while renewables accounted for 57%, including 32% from hydropower

In contrast to rising oil costs, the EIA in March lowered its forecast for 2026 natural gas prices by 13%, citing mild February weather and limited effects from the Iran war on U.S. prices.