Illinois
power plants.
Illinois has 80 operating power plants in the catalog, 36,365 MW in all. The catalog also marks 13 plants as Retired, with 8,656 MW of capacity. Its operating fleet leans on natural gas, which accounts for 40% of operating capacity, with nuclear second at 33.6%. The largest operating plant in the catalog is Braidwood Nuclear Power Plant (2,500 MW, recorded start year 1988).
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Illinois electricity mix
Operating installed capacity by fuel. Each row gives megawatts and its share of the operating total.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Largest plants in Illinois
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Newest plants in Illinois
This table includes 1 of the 5 operating plants with a recorded start year of 2020, largest first. The catalog records years, not full commissioning dates.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Frequently asked questions
Where does Illinois get its electricity?
Across the 80 operating plants in the catalog, capacity is led by natural gas at 40%, then nuclear at 33.6%. These are installed-capacity shares, not live generation.
What is the largest power plant in Illinois?
The largest operating plant in the catalog for Illinois is Braidwood Nuclear Power Plant, a nuclear facility with 2,500 MW and a recorded start year of 1988.
How many power plants are in Illinois?
The catalog tracks 80 operating power plants in Illinois, with 36,365 MW in all. It also marks 13 plants as Retired, with 8,656 MW of capacity.