Electricity in Colombia in 2023

In 2023, Colombia's electricity consumption is characterized by a strong reliance on low-carbon sources, primarily hydropower. More than half of the country's electricity, totaling approximately 58 TWh, comes from these clean sources, with hydropower alone contributing around 54 TWh. Conversely, fossil fuels generate around 29 TWh, which includes about 16 TWh from gas, 10 TWh from coal, and 3 TWh from oil. The nation's use of solar and biofuels remains relatively low, at roughly 1 TWh and 2 TWh respectively. Comparatively, Colombia's electricity generation per capita remains lower than the global average of 432 watts/person, indicating limited access to electricity which can hinder economic development and exacerbate energy poverty.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia could look to the examples set by countries that have successfully integrated more green energy into their grids. Brazil, which shares regional and economic similarities with Colombia, has made significant strides in wind and solar, achieving around 96 TWh from wind and 52 TWh from solar. India has also made remarkable progress, generating 82 TWh from wind and 113 TWh from solar. Investments in nuclear energy, as seen in the United States, France, and South Korea—with figures of 775 TWh, 336 TWh, and 180 TWh respectively—can provide lessons in establishing a robust and reliable low-carbon energy infrastructure. Colombia should consider diversifying its energy mix, expanding its solar and wind capacities, while exploring opportunities for nuclear energy to ensure a sustainable and secure energy future.

History

Historically, Colombia has experienced fluctuations in its hydropower generation over the decades. In the late 1980s, hydropower saw moderate increases of around 2-3 TWh annually. However, the early 1990s marked volatility, with significant drops and gains; 1992 saw a decline of 5.4 TWh followed by a 5.6 TWh increase in 1993. The late 1990s continued this trend of inconsistency. The 2000s were characterized by smaller but steadier increases until 2009 when hydro generation dropped again by 5.3 TWh. The largest single-year increase was in 2011, with an 8.4 TWh rise. The past decade continued to show some large shifts, most notably in 2017 with a 13 TWh increase and a subsequent decline in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, another significant rise of 12.3 TWh occurred, highlighting the potential for stability if managed effectively. This historical volatility underscores the need for Colombia to diversify its low-carbon energy sources to create a more resilient electricity grid.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources