Over the past year, from August 2024 to July 2025, Colombia has seen its electricity consumption primarily driven by low-carbon sources, which impressively constitute over 73% of its total electricity generation. Hydropower is the dominant contributor within this category, accounting for more than 65% of the electricity supply. However, clean energy, such as solar, provides a smaller share at just over 5%, showing a potential area for growth. In contrast, fossil energy sources account for a little more than a quarter of the overall electricity generation. Within the fossil category, gas is the most significant contributor at around 14%, followed by coal at about 8.5%. Oil makes up just shy of 4% of the total mix. This distribution highlights Colombia's significant reliance on low-carbon electricity sources, while also pointing to the opportunity to transition further away from fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Colombia?
Recent data indicates a slight decline in total electricity consumption per person in Colombia, which fell from a record of 1705 kWh in 2024 to 1662 kWh in 2025. This change suggests a reduction of 43 kWh, reflecting a worrying trend, especially in light of global electrification efforts. Additionally, the generation of low-carbon electricity per person has also decreased, from a peak of 1306 kWh in 2017 to 1226 kWh in 2025, showing a reduction of 81 kWh. These declines in both general and low-carbon electricity generation signal stagnation and thus a need for proactive measures to ensure the growth necessary to meet future demands and improve sustainability.
Suggestions
To augment low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia could adopt strategies from countries that have successfully integrated solar and nuclear energy into their mix. Lebanon and Chile exhibit promising results in solar energy generation with 31% and 24%, respectively, demonstrating the potential for increasing solar capacity. On the nuclear front, countries like France and Slovakia excel with over 65% of their electricity coming from nuclear energy, proving its viability as a sustainable, reliable source. By looking to these countries, Colombia can harness its solar potential, capitalize on nuclear power, and further reduce reliance on fossil energy, aligning with global trends towards a green, electrified future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Colombia has been shaped primarily by hydropower developments. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydropower saw fluctuations, with both significant gains and losses; by the mid-1990s, positive growth returned with increases close to 9 TWh. Notable expansions were evident in the 2010s, especially between 2011 and 2021 with peak increases in hydroelectricity, although punctuated by declines in 2019 and 2020. Recently, in 2024 and 2025, gains in hydropower have resumed, supported by a notable rise in solar capacity in 2024. These shifts emphasize the importance of consistent investments in low-carbon energy, highlighting opportunities to learn from past fluctuations to stabilize and grow future electricity generation sustainably.
