Electricity in Colombia in 2023/2024

In the year from August 2023 to July 2024, Colombia's electricity consumption paints a mixed picture. More than half of the electricity used in Colombia, approximately 61%, comes from low-carbon sources, with hydropower contributing the lion's share at around 57%. On the other hand, fossil fuels account for about 39% of the electricity, with gas making up close to a fifth, coal around 15%, and oil close to 4%. While solar and biofuels together add up to just under 5%, they play a comparatively minor role in the overall mix. This current state indicates a strong reliance on clean energy, particularly hydropower, but also significant use of fossil fuels which contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To bolster Colombia's low-carbon electricity generation, there are valuable lessons from other nations. For instance, France successfully generates 67% of its electricity via nuclear power, showcasing its potential as a scalable and reliable energy source. Uruguay, with its 36% wind energy generation, demonstrates that wind can be a significant clean energy contributor, even in countries with substantial hydro resources like Colombia. Similarly, Denmark's impressive 61% electricity from wind energy highlights the viability of wind energy expansion. Incorporating more nuclear and wind energy would diversify Colombia's clean energy portfolio, mitigate over-reliance on hydropower, and reduce fossil fuel dependency.

History

Historically, the journey of low-carbon electricity in Colombia reflects significant fluctuations, particularly in hydropower. In the late 1980s, years like 1986 and 1989 saw increases of around 2-3 TWh. However, the early 1990s were marked by volatility, with 1992 and 1997 experiencing sharp declines of about 5 TWh and 4 TWh respectively, followed by a notable rise of 5.6 TWh in 1993. The 2000s also saw varied changes, including a significant decrease of 5.3 TWh in 2009, contrasting with an increase of 8.4 TWh in 2011. More recently, the 2010s and early 2020s continued this pattern, with a remarkable rise of 13 TWh in 2017 and a subsequent drop of over 4 TWh in both 2020 and 2023. These fluctuations underline the importance of diversifying Colombia's low-carbon portfolio beyond hydropower to ensure stability and sustainability.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources