Electricity in Colombia in 2024
As of 2024, Colombia's electricity sector demonstrates a strong commitment to low-carbon energy sources, with almost two-thirds of its electricity being derived from these clean methods. Hydropower serves as the backbone of Colombia's low-carbon electricity, supplying more than half of the nation's total electricity needs. On the other hand, fossil energy still contributes significantly, representing over a third of the electricity mix. Predominantly, this fossil-based electricity comes from gas and coal, with oil contributing marginally. Despite biofuels being technically low-carbon, solar energy—though still a small portion—reflects a step toward further diversification of clean energy sources.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia could draw inspiration from nations that have successfully integrated more sustainable energy sources into their grids. For instance, countries like Uruguay have tapped significantly into wind power, generating nearly a third of their electricity from this source, and similarly, Chile leverages solar energy effectively. These examples highlight the potential for expanding both wind and solar power in Colombia. Furthermore, while Colombia currently does not generate any electricity from nuclear power, countries like France demonstrate the stability and substantial output that can be achieved through nuclear energy, underscoring an opportunity for Colombia to consider integrating nuclear energy into its future energy planning.
History
Historically, Colombia's electricity landscape has seen varying levels of hydropower generation. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydropower experienced fluctuations; an increase in the late 1980s was followed by some significant reductions in early 1990s. The century's turn witnessed additional expansions with smaller dips, until 2011 where there was an impressive jump, contributing significantly to the low-carbon energy mix. However, in recent years, the pattern of fluctuating gains and losses in hydropower continued. Despite these ups and downs, episodic significant increases in hydropower output, such as in 2021, reflect Colombia's reliance on its abundant water resources as a primary low-carbon energy source. Recognizing the global need to combat climate change, the future could hold more diverse and stable low-carbon energy contributions through investments in solar, wind, and possibly nuclear energy as complements to existing resources.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.