Colombia's electricity consumption from May 2024 to April 2025 reveals a predominance of low-carbon energy, which accounts for more than 70% of the total electricity mix. Hydropower is the leader among the low-carbon sources, contributing nearly two-thirds of the total electricity. Solar and biofuels together make up a small fraction, with solar contributing over 5% and biofuels contributing about 3%. Fossil energy still has a notable presence, making up almost 28% of electricity consumption, with gas leading the fossil category at about 14%. Oil and coal are other significant contributors, accounting for close to 4% and almost 10%, respectively. These insights demonstrate Colombia's significant investment in clean energy sources, particularly hydropower, while still relying on fossil fuels to a considerable extent.
Is Electricity Growing in Colombia?
Despite advancements in low-carbon technology, Colombia's electricity consumption per person has actually declined recently. In 2025, the electricity consumption rate was 1673 kWh per person, which is 55 kWh less than the previous record set in 2023. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per capita is also down by 101 kWh from its peak in 2017, standing at 1206 kWh per person this year. These declines may raise concerns as they signal a reduction in both overall and clean electricity usage, hinting at potential challenges in meeting growing electricity demand and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which is essential for reducing climate change impacts and air pollution.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia could take note from regions that have successfully harnessed solar and nuclear energy. Countries like France and Slovakia have managed to achieve substantial nuclear electricity shares at 69% and 64%, respectively, demonstrating the potential of nuclear as a reliable low-carbon resource. Meanwhile, regions such as Lebanon and Nevada highlight the substantial role solar energy can play, generating around 31% and 29%, respectively. For a more diverse approach, combining these strategies could significantly enhance Colombia's clean electricity infrastructure. Encouraging solar and nuclear development would not only align with global low-carbon objectives but would also strengthen energy security and sustainability.
History
Historically, Colombia's low-carbon electricity has seen fluctuations, primarily driven by hydropower. In the early 1990s, Colombia experienced significant variability with hydroelectric power, with a remarkable increase of 5.6 TWh in 1993, following a decrease the previous year. The country has witnessed both gains and declines throughout the decades, with the most significant increase in hydroelectricity recorded in 2017, at 13 TWh. More recently, a downward trend was noted between 2018 and 2023, reflecting periods of volatility. Positively, 2025 has shown an upward shift with an increase of 6.2 TWh. These historical patterns highlight the dependency on hydropower and underscore the potential benefits of diversifying electricity sources to achieve a more stable low-carbon energy output.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.