Electricity in Bolivia in 2023/2024

Over the last year, spanning from November 2023 to October 2024, electricity consumption in Bolivia has exhibited a predominantly fossil-fuel-based makeup, with over two-thirds of electricity generated from gas. More than half of the country’s electricity gravitates around fossil energy sources, specifically gas, which accounts for 66.75% of Bolivia’s electricity. In contrast, low-carbon sources, encompassing hydropower, wind, and solar, contribute a bit over a third of the electricity. Among the clean energy options, hydropower clearly dominates at approximately 25%. Wind and solar, despite their environmentally friendly nature, have yet to make a significant impact, together contributing roughly 8% of the total electricity supply.

Suggestions

To transition towards more low-carbon electricity generation, Bolivia could look to further develop its wind and solar sectors, drawing inspiration from similar countries that have taken large strides in these areas. Uruguay, a neighboring country with similar geographical and economic conditions, generates about a third of its electricity from wind energy. Emulating Uruguay’s success in wind power could significantly contribute to Bolivia’s clean energy shift. Furthermore, Bolivia could consider adopting nuclear energy as a viable option for a stable, low-carbon electricity supply. Many countries, such as Slovakia and Ukraine, have shown strong commitment to nuclear, providing more than half of their electricity through this clean energy source. Such diversification in low-carbon sources would not only enhance Bolivia's energy security but also make significant strides in combating climate change and reducing air pollution.

History

Reflecting on Bolivia’s history of low-carbon electricity, especially hydropower, reveals a pattern of fluctuations rather than steady growth. During the late 1990s through the early 2000s, fluctuations were observed with slight increases and decreases, typically around 0.2 TWh. A more pronounced variability emerged in the mid-2010s, with hydropower experiencing both a notable decline of 0.8 TWh and subsequent increase of 0.5 TWh between 2016 and 2017. The recent years leading to 2024 saw some recovery in hydropower, with an increase of 0.6 TWh. Additionally, wind energy showed promising development in 2022 with a 0.3 TWh increase. Looking forward, Bolivia has a solid foundation to build upon and should aim to stabilize and expand its low-carbon electricity generation to meet future energy demands sustainably.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources