In the year 2025, Argentina's electricity consumption shows a near balance between fossil energy and low-carbon energy sources. Fossil fuels still account for more than half of the electricity generated, at about 52%, with a major share coming from gas at around 48%. Oil and coal make up a minor portion of fossil fuel electricity. On the other hand, low-carbon energy contributes approximately 48% to the electricity mix, showcasing Argentina's strides towards cleaner energy. Hydropower leads the low-carbon segment, making up almost a quarter of the total electricity. Wind energy follows, contributing more than 12%, while nuclear power provides over 7% and solar energy just over 3%, indicating significant potential for growth in clean energy sectors.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Argentina?
Despite the remarkable shift towards low-carbon electricity sources, the overall electricity consumption in Argentina is on a decline. The 2025 per capita electricity consumption is about 3,247 kWh, down by 323 kWh from its peak in 2016. This downward trend is concerning, given the growing importance of electricity for modern applications like AI and electrification. However, there is a silver lining with respect to low-carbon electricity production. In 2025, Argentina not only exceeded its low-carbon electricity generation benchmark from 2024, achieving 1,573 kWh per person, but also set a new record with a notable increase of 52 kWh. This positive development underlines the country's potential to pivot more robustly towards cleaner energy solutions.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity production, Argentina should focus on expanding existing wind energy infrastructure, a sector that already significantly contributes to the electricity mix. Learning from successful regions, Argentina could also explore increasing solar and nuclear energy output. For instance, Denmark and South Dakota have successfully harnessed wind energy, achieving over 58% of their electricity from this source. Similarly, France and Slovakia demonstrate the success of nuclear energy, each generating more than 65% of their electricity through nuclear means. By adopting best practices from these pioneering regions, Argentina can strive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase its low-carbon electricity generation, addressing climate change and improving air quality.
History
Examining Argentina's history of low-carbon electricity generation reveals cycles of growth and setbacks, particularly in hydropower. The late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed fluctuations, with significant increases in some years and declines in others. The early 2000s marked a period of consistent growth, with significant hydroelectricity expansions in 2000 and 2001. However, the years following 2007 saw several declines, with only intermittent years of growth. Recent developments, particularly from 2019 to 2023, indicate promising growth in the wind energy sector, with notable increases recorded in these years. This trend reflects Argentina’s potential and necessity to focus on expanding its portfolio in low-carbon energy technologies to secure a more sustainable energy future.
