NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD News) — Renewable electricity reached 25 percent of U.S. generation by 2025, but the broader economy-wide energy target remained unfinished. The final 25x’25 assessment says rising demand outpaced gains across transportation, industry, and other energy uses.
The campaign originally sought to supply 25 percent of national energy needs from renewable sources. Renewable energy accounted for 8.6 percent of total U.S. consumption in 2024, while overall energy use was 50 percent higher than in 2004.
Wind and solar produced most of the electricity growth. Agriculture contributed through ethanol, biodiesel, renewable feedstocks, wind development, and other rural energy projects, but transportation remains a major opportunity.
The report points to higher ethanol blends, including E30, along with biodigesters that convert farm waste into energy. Growing electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence could also create new markets for rural generation and renewable fuels.
The campaign has ended, but its leaders are calling for renewed cooperation among agriculture, forestry, energy, and technology groups. Future progress will depend on turning farm-based energy potential into dependable demand and rural investment.
