Electricity in Argentina in 2024
Argentina's electricity consumption in 2024 is primarily dominated by fossil fuels, which account for more than half of the total electricity generated, with gas alone providing just over 51%. Low-carbon sources, contributing close to 37% of the electricity mix, play a substantial role in diminishing this fossil dependency. Among these clean energy sources, hydropower stands out, generating about 16% of the electricity, while wind energy also makes a significant contribution of more than 10%. Nuclear power, with nearly 7% of the total electricity supply, adds an essential element of stability and low carbon emissions to the grid. Other sources like solar and biofuels provide some additional diversity to the low-carbon mix, although their contributions are relatively minor.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Argentina could focus on expanding its already thriving wind energy sector. Looking at global examples, countries like Denmark, where wind energy constitutes 52% of the electricity, illustrate the potential of wind power when properly scaled. Argentina could learn from the experiences of Uruguay, which generates 28% of its electricity from wind, despite having a comparable economic structure. Enhancing nuclear capabilities is another avenue worth exploring, drawing inspiration from nuclear-reliant nations such as Slovakia and Ukraine, where over half of their electricity is derived from nuclear sources. Exploring solar expansion is also advisable, taking cues from countries like Chile and Spain, which achieve more than 20% of their electricity from solar.
History
Argentina's journey toward low-carbon electricity has seen several milestones, especially in harnessing hydropower. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, hydropower experienced pronounced fluctuations, such as significant increases in 1980 and 2000, followed by substantial declines at other times. The past decade marked a shift as wind energy began to rise rapidly, with notable annual increases since 2019. However, hydropower has faced a decline in recent years, reflecting the need for diversification in low-carbon sources. Argentina's focus should now be on stabilizing and growing its clean energy generation, particularly via wind, solar, and nuclear power, to ensure sustainable progress and energy resilience.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.