Electricity in Bolivia in 2023/2024

Between August 2023 and July 2024, Bolivia's electricity consumption was predominantly fueled by fossil energy, with gas accounting for more than 67% of the total electricity generation. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources contributed nearly 33% to the country's electricity mix. Hydropower was the leading clean energy source, responsible for almost 24% of the electricity supply. Wind power accounted for nearly 5% while solar energy contributed close to 3%, followed by biofuels at approximately 1%. This data highlights that, while Bolivia has made some progress in expanding low-carbon electricity, fossil fuels remain the primary source of electricity generation, posing challenges related to carbon emissions and environmental sustainability.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Bolivia can draw lessons from countries with successful clean energy transitions. In particular, Uruguay's reliance on wind power, making up 36% of its electricity, and Greece's solar energy integration at 22% exemplify strong clean energy contributions. These examples underline the potential for Bolivia to scale up its wind and solar electricity generation capabilities. Considering the global effectiveness and scalability, Bolivia should also consider investing in nuclear power, as seen in countries like Slovakia and Ukraine, where nuclear energy provides over half of their electricity. Learning from these models could help Bolivia diversify its clean energy portfolio, reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, and contribute to a more sustainable electricity landscape.

History

Looking back at Bolivia's history of low-carbon electricity generation, hydropower has been a crucial component, despite fluctuations over the decades. From minor decreases in the 1980s to occasional increments and decreases in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the country's hydroelectric output has shown variability. There was a significant upturn between 2017 and 2019, with notable increases in hydroelectricity generation. However, setbacks occurred again in 2023 with a decline. The recent introduction of wind power in 2022 marks a positive shift, despite biofuels showing a slight dip in 2023/2024. These historical insights emphasize the need for Bolivia to stabilize and enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, focusing on expanding reliable and diverse sources like solar, wind, and potentially nuclear, to achieve a cleaner and more resilient electricity system.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources