Over the period from September 2024 to August 2025, Chile's electricity consumption has been predominantly powered by low-carbon energy sources, which account for more than two-thirds or 68.4% of the total electricity mix. Clean energy sources such as hydropower and solar energy have been significant contributors, generating approximately 26% and 23% of the country's electricity, respectively. Wind energy also plays an essential role, providing just over 13% of the total electricity. Biofuels contribute 5%, indicating a varied approach to low-carbon generation. In contrast, fossil fuels account for a smaller portion of the electricity generation, with coal and gas combined making up just over 30% of the total. This reliance on fossil fuels poses concerns regarding climate change and air pollution, which Chile must address to align with global sustainability goals.
Is Electricity Growing in Chile?
Examining the growth of electricity consumption in Chile reveals a worrisome trend. The latest electricity usage stands at 4,327 kWh per person, falling short of the 2022 peak of 4,656 kWh per person. This represents a decrease of 329 kWh per person, contrary to the anticipated growth, given the global advancement towards electrification. Moreover, the production of low-carbon electricity also saw a decline, with current figures at 2,960 kWh per person compared to 2024's 3,154 kWh per person, marking a decrease of 194 kWh per person. These declines suggest a concerning stagnation in Chile's progress towards sustainable electricity consumption, which should be addressed urgently.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Chile can expand its existing wind and solar energy projects, which have already achieved significant success. Learning from regions like Iowa and Denmark, where wind power constitutes around 60%, can provide valuable insights for maximizing wind energy potential. Similarly, increasing solar capacity is crucial, taking inspiration from countries investing heavily in both solar and nuclear energy like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power accounts for around 65% of electricity generation. These examples illustrate how diverse low-carbon energy portfolios can effectively meet electricity demands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels, thus positioning Chile as a leader in clean energy transition.
History
Looking back, Chile has had fluctuating growth in low-carbon energy, especially in hydropower, which saw significant surges in the early 1990s and early 2000s. Despite this optimism, the late 1990s and 2010 brought setbacks, highlighted by substantial declines in hydropower. The years 2021 to 2023 have shown renewed promise with notable expansion in solar and wind energy but have been offset by reductions in hydropower by 2025. These historical trends demonstrate the challenges and potential of Chile's clean energy landscape, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and increased diversification into other clean energy sources like nuclear to ensure stable and sustainable electricity generation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.