In the last twelve months, from June 2025 to May 2026, Argentina's electricity consumption was characterized by a significant, though varied, mix of energy sources. Fossil energy constituted more than half of the electricity consumed, largely dominated by natural gas at slightly more than half of the total consumption. Low-carbon energy sources contributed a substantial portion too, with hydropower leading at nearly a fifth of the total consumption. Wind energy followed, accounting for almost 13%, while nuclear and solar energies made up nearly 7% and 4% respectively, which together reflect a significant chunk of Argentina's clean electricity profile. Biofuels, although low-carbon, accounted for close to none in the grand scheme, only contributing a meager percentage. While fossil fuels still hold a dominant position, the contribution of low-carbon sources is nothing to scoff at, hinting at Argentina's potential for further reducing its reliance on fossil energy.

Is Electricity Growing in Argentina?

Argentina has experienced a decline in its per capita electricity consumption. The latest data for 2026 shows a per capita consumption of 3176 kWh, which is a noticeable drop of almost 400 kWh from the record high in 2016. In terms of low-carbon electricity generation, Argentina's recent performance also reflects a downturn, with the latest figure at 1426 kWh per capita compared to the 1522 kWh per capita achieved in 2024. This represents a decrease of nearly 100 kWh, illustrating a concerning trend given the global push toward increasing clean electricity to combat issues like climate change and air pollution caused by fossil fuels. Clearly, there's room for improvement to reverse this downward trend and meet future demands associated with electrification and innovative technologies like AI.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Argentina should expand its existing wind energy infrastructure due to the significant amount of electricity it already contributes. On top of that, Argentina could learn from regions with successful low-carbon energy strategies. For wind energy, Denmark and Iowa serve as excellent examples, each achieving nearly 57% of their electricity from wind. For nuclear energy, countries like France and Slovakia, with 67% and 66% respectively, demonstrate how nuclear power can be a cornerstone of low-carbon electricity generation. The inclusion of solar energy can also be informed by California's journey to secure 31% of its electricity from solar. By looking at the successes of these regions, Argentina can tailor its strategies to significantly enhance its low-carbon energy production, steering toward a future that embraces more sustainable, green energy solutions.

History

Historically, the journey of low-carbon electricity in Argentina has been marked by fluctuations, particularly in hydropower, which experienced both substantial increases and sharp declines over the decades. The early 1980s saw a notable increase in hydroelectric capacity by 4.5 TWh. However, periods such as 1988 and 1996 experienced declines with reductions of 6.8 TWh and 4 TWh respectively. The year 2000 marked a resurgence with an increase of 7.2 TWh, followed by a significant 8.2 TWh increase in 2001. The most recent substantial growth happened in 2023, with a remarkable increase of 10.8 TWh, although this was followed by a decrease again in 2025. The recent consistent growth in wind energy is a promising development, especially considering the 4.4 TWh increase in 2020. Such historical insights underscore the importance of strategic planning to stabilize and expand Argentina's low-carbon electricity generation, particularly focusing on technologies like wind and nuclear that offer sustainable, clean solutions.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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