Illinois stands out for its production and energy consumption
Illinois leads energy consumption in the Midwestern United States, according to data from the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA).
That state was also the third largest energy producer in the region.
In 2018, Illinois customers consumed 4.0 trillion British thermal units (Btu) of energy, and 2.6 trillion Btu were produced in the state.
Total energy production and consumption in Illinois each represented nearly 17% of the total Midwest.
Energy consumption
The industrial sector led the consumption of energy in Illinois in 2018, and represented almost 30% of the total energy consumed in the state in that year.
The transportation and residential sectors accounted for 25% of final energy consumption in Illinois, and the commercial sector accounted for just over 20% of Illinois consumption.
Illinois energy consumption was slightly higher than the national average per capita and slightly lower than the national average of the state’s gross domestic product per unit.
At the same time, oil was the most consumed fuel in Illinois, accounting for almost 28% of total energy use in 2018.
Illinois is home to an extensive highway and rail network, as well as the second busiest commercial airport in the country, O’Hare International.
Other energies
Natural gas accounted for 26% of the energy consumed in Illinois in 2018. Nearly 80% of Illinois residents use natural gas as their primary heating fuel, according to census data.
Likewise, nuclear energy represented 23% of the total energy consumed in the state. Nuclear power plants in Illinois generate more electricity than in any other state. More electric power was generated in Illinois in 2018 than was consumed in 2018 because some of the electric power generated in Illinois was transmitted to other states.
In 2018, almost 2.6 trillion Btu of energy was produced in Illinois. Coal represented almost 43% of total energy production.
Illinois contains approximately 15% of the nation’s economically recoverable coal reserves, second only to Wyoming, and ranked fourth among states in coal production in 2018.
Illinois ranks second as a US producer of bituminous coal, which is used to generate electricity and produce steel.
In 2018, about 15% of the energy produced in Illinois came from renewable sources.
Illinois was the third largest ethanol producer in the country and the fourth largest biodiesel producer in 2018.
In 2019, wind-generated electricity in Illinois totaled 13.8 million megawatts.
Finally, Illinois is home to several key components of the energy infrastructure, especially near Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Four Illinois oil refineries have a combined refining capacity of 1 million barrels per day, the fourth highest in any state.
Illinois also has 28 underground natural gas storage fields that provide more than 10% of the country’s natural gas storage capacity, the second largest share in the country; only Michigan has more natural gas storage capacity.
