Colombia has made remarkable strides in shifting towards sustainable electricity generation, with more than 80% of its electricity now coming from low-carbon sources. Between June 2025 and May 2026, hydropower stood out as a dominant contributor, providing over 73% of Colombia's electricity, highlighting the significant role of clean energy in the national grid. Despite these achievements, fossil fuels still account for almost a fifth of electricity generation. Of the fossil sources, gas contributes a little over 10%, followed by coal at close to 5% and oil at slightly below 4%. Meanwhile, solar energy contributes a modest 6%, showcasing room for growth in diversifying the clean energy mix. To further propel Colombia's transition, the next major challenge is electrifying other sectors, such as transport, heating, and industry, which will demand an even greater supply of electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Colombia?

The latest electricity consumption figures in Colombia indicate a promising growth trend. The average consumption per person has increased to 1710 kWh, up from the previous record of 1680 kWh just a year prior in 2025, marking an uptick of 30 kWh/person. This increase also extends to low-carbon electricity, which rose from 1344 kWh/person to 1382 kWh/person, showing an enhancement of 38 kWh/person. These gains illustrate not only an overall expansion in energy use but, crucially, a prioritized shift towards sustainable sources, reinforcing Colombia's commitment to clean energy amid rising global electricity demands.

Suggestions

To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia should consider expansive investments in both nuclear and solar energy. While hydropower serves as a robust backbone for the country’s clean electricity, diversifying the energy portfolio with solar power can provide additional stability and resilience against climatic fluctuations that may impact water levels. Moreover, investing in nuclear energy can offer a consistent and reliable electricity supply to meet base load demands while simultaneously lowering emissions. By aggressively pursuing these sources, Colombia can ensure a sustainable electricity supply to support future electrification needs, diminish reliance on fossil fuels, and further position itself as a leader in clean energy transitions.

History

Looking back at the development of low-carbon electricity in Colombia, several key periods stand out. In the early 1980s, hydropower experienced moderate growth, with notable expansions occurring in the mid-1990s and early 2000s, punctuated by occasional declines due to various challenges. For instance, 1992 saw a significant dip of 5.4 TWh, followed by robust recoveries in the subsequent years. More recently, large increases in hydroelectric capacity have been recorded in years like 2011 and 2017, with gains of 8.5 TWh and 12.3 TWh, respectively. However, sporadic decreases continued, such as the 7 TWh reduction in 2019 and a 3.3 TWh drop in 2024. Notably, 2025 witnessed a substantial resurgence in hydro production, rebounding with an impressive gain of 13.2 TWh. These historical patterns underscore an ongoing effort to stabilize and enhance Colombia's low-carbon electricity infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of sustained development in emerging clean technologies like solar and nuclear to complement the existing framework and ensure improved electricity security and environmental outcomes.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.