In Colombia, the state of electricity consumption in 2024 demonstrates a noteworthy inclination towards low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the country's electricity is generated from clean sources, with hydropower being the most significant contributor at approximately 58%. Despite its smaller share, solar energy also plays a role by providing nearly 4% of electricity. Unfortunately, fossil fuels still account for a notable portion of electricity generation, with almost 36% sourced from dirty fossil fuels like gas, coal, and oil, contributing to climate change and air pollution. It is crucial for Colombia to continue reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and focus on expanding its clean energy portfolio to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impacts.
Is Electricity Growing in Colombia?
Examining the change in electricity consumption between 2023 and 2024, it is evident that there is a cause for concern. The latest data for electricity consumption amounts to 1673 kWh per person, which is a decrease from the previous year's record of 1728 kWh per person. This decline of 56 kWh per person may indicate stagnation in growth, which is worrying given the increasing need for electricity driven by trends like electrification and AI development. Particularly concerning is the substantial decrease in low-carbon electricity generation, with current figures showing 1076 kWh per person, down significantly from the 2017 record of 1306 kWh per person. This underscores an urgent need for Colombia to boost its clean electricity generation capacities.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia can draw lessons from nations with successful clean energy programs. For example, countries like Uruguay have tapped into their wind resources, sourcing nearly 28% of their electricity from wind power. Similarly, Chile utilizes its solar potential effectively, generating around 22% of its electricity from solar energy. Colombia, blessed with abundant sunshine, should consider amplifying its solar capabilities alongside investigating the possibility of introducing nuclear energy. By strengthening its investment in these areas, Colombia could significantly bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, ensuring a sustainable and green energy future.
History
Reflecting on the historical trends of low-carbon electricity in Colombia, particularly hydropower, highlights a series of significant fluctuations over the decades. In the late 20th century and early 21st century, Colombia saw both dramatic increases and notable declines in hydropower generation. Notable growth occurred in 1986, 1993, and 2011, with increases of around 3, 6, and 8 TWh respectively. However, there were also periods of decrease, notably in 1992, 1997, and 2009, each with reductions ranging from 4 to over 5 TWh. Following a record surge in 2017, the nation experienced several setbacks, including declines in 2018, 2019, and most recently in 2024. The importance of diversifying the clean energy portfolio beyond hydropower is clear, as the reliance on a single source can lead to vulnerability and variability in generation. This underscores the importance of investing in a diverse mix of cleaner electricity sources such as solar and potentially nuclear energy.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.