From June 2025 through May 2026, fossil fuels supplied more than half of Argentina’s electricity consumption, at about 55%, while low-carbon sources provided about 45%. Gas dominated the mix with roughly 51%, while oil and coal contributed around 2% and 1%, respectively. Among clean electricity sources, hydropower supplied about 19%, wind 13%, nuclear 7%, solar 4%, and biofuels 2%. Argentina therefore has a substantial low-carbon foundation, but fossil fuels still supply the majority of its electricity, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Argentina?

The latest figures do not show Argentina reaching new heights in electricity consumption per person. The 2026 figure of about 3,176 kWh per person is roughly 395 kWh, or 11%, below the historic record of 3,570 kWh set in 2016. Low-carbon electricity generation stands at about 1,426 kWh per person, around 96 kWh, or 6%, below its 2024 record of 1,522 kWh. These gaps are concerning, although comparisons with record years alone do not establish whether electricity grew or declined in the latest year. Argentina needs sustained growth in clean electricity to support electrification and increasing demand, including from AI.

Suggestions

Argentina can increase low-carbon electricity generation by expanding wind, which already makes a substantial contribution, while accelerating solar deployment and expanding nuclear generation. Nearby Uruguay offers a particularly relevant wind example, generating about a third of its electricity from wind; the US state of Iowa demonstrates an even larger contribution, at 57%. Neighboring Chile generates about 24% of its electricity from solar, offering a useful regional example for Argentina’s solar expansion. For nuclear, France generates roughly two-thirds of its electricity from this clean source, while the US state of Illinois generates almost half. These regions illustrate how sustained investment in wind, solar, and nuclear can build a much larger low-carbon electricity supply, supported by expanded grids and long-term planning.

History

Argentina’s low-carbon electricity history shows substantial hydropower gains alongside repeated setbacks. Generation increased by 4.5 TWh in 1980 but fell by 6.8 TWh in 1988. During the 1990s, gains of roughly 5 TWh in 1990, 1993, and 1997 were interrupted by declines of 4 TWh in 1996 and almost 5 TWh in 1999. The early 2000s brought strong increases of 7.2 TWh in 2000 and 8.2 TWh in 2001, followed by smaller gains in 2005 and 2006 before a 6.5 TWh decline in 2007. Hydropower grew again in 2009 and 2013, but fell by 5.3 TWh in 2019; wind then delivered a welcome 4.4 TWh increase in 2020. More recently, hydropower declined by 5 TWh in 2021, recovered by 3.9 TWh in 2022 and an impressive 10.8 TWh in 2023, then suffered a disappointing 7.3 TWh decline in 2025. This uneven record reinforces the importance of sustained expansion across wind, solar, and nuclear to strengthen clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.