Colombia's electricity consumption in 2024 exhibits a considerable reliance on low-carbon sources, with such sources accounting for more than 60% of the total electricity generation. Hydropower emerges as the predominant low-carbon type, contributing to more than half of the electricity mix, indicating a reliance on its considerable water resources. On the other hand, fossil fuel-based energy accounts for about 36% of the overall mix, with natural gas, coal, and oil being the primary contributors, in descending order of their shares. Solar energy and biofuels have smaller shares at nearly 4% and almost 3%, respectively, but they exemplify the country's step towards cleaner options. However, there is significant room for growth in solar energy, which holds tremendous promise for boosting Colombia’s clean energy portfolio.
Is Electricity Growing in Colombia?
In terms of electricity consumption per person, Colombia saw a decrease in 2024 compared to 2023. The country's consumption per person has dropped by around 75 kWh, reflecting a worrying trend of decline from the previous year’s 1728 kWh/person. This decline is also reflected in the low-carbon electricity sector, where the 2024 generation per person was 1064 kWh, showing a significant decrease of 243 kWh per person from the low-carbon record set in 2017. This downturn suggests a possible stalling in the growth of the country's electricity consumption, a situation that requires immediate and robust measures to rejuvenate both the overall and the low-carbon electricity generation to support future demand growth.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Colombia can draw inspiration from countries and regions that have successfully implemented solar and nuclear power solutions. Lebanon and Nevada have made significant advancements in solar energy, generating 31% and 27% respectively from this clean source. By investing similarly in solar infrastructure, Colombia could leverage its abundant sunlight to expand its solar energy output significantly. In support of nuclear energy, Colombia might look towards countries like France and Slovakia, which have achieved impressive nuclear electricity shares of 68% and 62%, respectively. Establishing or expanding nuclear facilities in Colombia could offer a reliable and scalable means of producing low-carbon power, complementing its existing hydropower and enhancing energy security while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Throughout Colombia's history of low-carbon electricity generation, the country has experienced periods of both growth and decline. The late 1980s saw a positive change in hydropower generation, while the early 1990s experienced some fluctuation in expansion. Moving into the 2000s, Colombia showed a consistent increase in hydropower generation capacity. Significant setbacks occurred in the last decade, with several years like 2009, 2019, and 2024 witnessing substantial declines. Despite these fluctuations, there were remarkable positive changes, such as the impressive rise of 12.3 TWh in 2021. These historical patterns underscore the importance of strategic planning and investment in the varied landscape of low-carbon electricity, particularly by augmenting solar and nuclear, to drive Colombia's sustainable electricity future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.