El Salvador's electricity consumption is currently composed of a significant portion of low-carbon energy, which accounts for more than two-thirds of its total electricity usage. Among the low-carbon sources, hydropower and geothermal play a major role, contributing more than half of the country's electricity supply, with each providing roughly a quarter. Solar power, making up almost a fifth of the energy mix, also contributes significantly, followed by biofuels and wind, which together account for around one-tenth. In contrast, fossil fuels, primarily gas, still play a considerable role, covering just over a quarter of the consumption. Transitioning away from fossil fuels to further expand low-carbon electricity would be a significant step towards a greener energy future.

Is Electricity Growing in El Salvador?

Electricity consumption in El Salvador is experiencing growth, as evidenced by the recent increase in per capita usage. With a new record of 1363 kWh/person in 2025, up by 47 kWh from the previous year, the trend indicates a positive movement towards using more electricity in the country. Low-carbon electricity generation is also on the rise, achieving 921 kWh/person, which is an increase of 30 kWh compared to the previous year. This growth, though positive, highlights the need for further expansion of clean energy sources to meet the increasing demand and ensure sustainable energy availability for the future.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, El Salvador should focus on expanding its existing solar capacity due to its already significant contribution to the energy mix. Learning from regions that have successfully implemented clean energy solutions can provide a pathway toward enhancing El Salvador's energy strategy. For example, Nevada and California have demonstrated substantial use of solar power, generating around a third of their electricity from this source. Moreover, the country could also consider learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy plays a dominant role in their clean electricity generation, showcasing a successful integration of this powerful low-carbon source. Implementing similar strategies could significantly bolster El Salvador's clean energy capacity, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating related environmental impacts.

History

Historically, El Salvador has had a fluctuating journey with low-carbon electricity, particularly with hydropower. In the earlier decades, specifically around the 1980s and 1990s, the growth was marked with both increases and decreases, such as gains of 0.4 TWh followed by occasional declines, indicating the challenges of consistency in this sector. More recently, from 2020 onwards, there has been a notable rise in hydropower generation with additional support from solar production, marking an exciting new chapter in El Salvador's renewable endeavors. The continued positive changes in 2022 and 2024 reflect a promising trend, with solar energy making an increasingly noteworthy impact from 2020. To sustain this momentum, embedding lessons from regions with successful clean energy models would be crucial in stabilizing and elevating their low-carbon electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade