In 2025, electricity consumption in Argentina shows a close competition between fossil fuels and low-carbon sources, with fossil fuels holding just over half of the share at approximately 52% and low-carbon sources supplying just under half at about 48%. Among fossil fuels, natural gas dominates at around 46%, while oil and coal contribute minimally with 4% and 2%, respectively. On the low-carbon side, hydropower is the leading source, generating approximately 23%, followed by wind and nuclear at around 12% and 7%, respectively. Solar energy contributes a modest 3%, representing an area with significant growth potential. The remainder, close to 3%, is provided by biofuels, affirming Argentina's mixed energy profile where genuine sustainability advancements could be more robustly pursued.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Argentina?
Despite Argentina's progress in incorporating low-carbon electricity, overall electricity consumption has not grown but rather declined compared to its previous records. In 2016, each person consumed about 3,570 kWh, while in 2025, this number dropped by more than 300 kWh to 3,257 kWh per person. This decrease in total electricity consumption underscores a worrying trend at a time when increased electricity demand is critical for sustainable progression. Meanwhile, the silver lining here is that low-carbon electricity generation has seen a small but encouraging growth. The increase by 31 kWh per person from the previous year indicates an advancement in the right direction, yet when considering the broader picture, the pace must significantly accelerate to meet future energy demands sustainably.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Argentina should focus on expanding its existing wind energy infrastructure, which already provides a substantial portion of its clean energy. Lessons from Denmark and South Dakota, where wind energy comprises around 60% and 58% of electricity generation, respectively, demonstrate the potential for wind expansion. Furthermore, the expansion of nuclear capacity holds promising prospects, as witnessed in countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy contributes around two-thirds of their electricity. Additionally, solar power, with its burgeoning potential, can be significantly expanded by learning from the experiences of states like Nevada and California, where solar energy contributes over 30% to their electricity mix. Such strategies could lead to a stronger and cleaner energy future for Argentina, enabling it to better meet both current and anticipated electricity demands sustainably.
History
Historical data on Argentina's low-carbon electricity generation shows a dynamic yet somewhat unpredictable landscape, especially notable in the case of hydropower. The 1980s saw both significant growth and declines, with notable increases again in the 1990s and sporadic declines into the 2000s. The period from 2000 to 2023 was marked by fluctuations, including a remarkable 10.8 TWh increase in hydropower in 2023. During the late 2010s, there was a notable surge in wind power, with figures prominently rising by 3.5 and 4.4 TWh in consecutive years, demonstrating the viability and future potential of wind energy in the nation's green energy strategy. Argentina's journey through these oscillations underscores the importance of consistent policy and investment focus to maximize low-carbon electricity contributions in meeting growing and future demands sustainably.
