Chicago Runs on 100% Renewable Energy Starting 2025

Chicago just became one of the largest cities in America to run entirely on clean energy, proving that big climate goals aren't just talk.

As of January 2025, every City of Chicago building, streetlight, and municipal operation now runs on 100% renewable electricity. That means schools, libraries, police stations, and public facilities across the nation's third-largest city are powered by wind and solar instead of fossil fuels.

The achievement comes through Chi100, the city's ambitious initiative to transform how Chicago generates and uses energy. The Department of Environment worked with utility providers and energy experts to make the transition both affordable and reliable.

But city buildings are just the beginning. Chicago is installing solar panels on public buildings, including new installations at Chicago Public Library locations announced in July 2025. These rooftop solar arrays will generate clean power right where it's needed most.

The city also launched programs to bring clean energy benefits directly to residents. Green Homes Chicago provides free energy upgrades to income-eligible homeowners, including new insulation and efficient heat pump systems that lower utility bills while cutting emissions.

Another program tracks energy use in large buildings across the city. Chicago Energy Benchmarking helps building owners understand their consumption patterns and find opportunities to save money while reducing their carbon footprint. Since buildings produce the largest share of Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions, these efficiency improvements create ripple effects throughout the entire city.

The Ripple Effect

Chicago's renewable energy milestone sends a message far beyond city limits. When a major American city proves clean energy works at scale, it makes the transition easier for other communities facing similar challenges.

The success shows that renewable energy isn't just for small towns or wealthy suburbs. A diverse city of 2.7 million people with harsh winters and scorching summers can reliably power essential services without fossil fuels. That reality changes what other cities believe is possible.

The programs also create immediate benefits for residents who need them most. Free home energy upgrades lower utility bills for income-eligible families, making clean energy a solution for affordability, not just environmental goals.

Chicago's achievement proves that ambitious climate action and practical city management can work together. Other major cities watching Chicago's success now have a roadmap for their own renewable energy transitions, multiplying the impact of this milestone across the country.