El Salvador is making significant strides in transitioning to cleaner electricity sources, with over 80% of its electricity now sourced from low-carbon technologies. More than half is harnessed from hydropower and geothermal technologies, showcasing a robust backing from these sustainable foundations. Solar energy, along with biofuels, provide a combined contribution that accounts for over a quarter of the country's electricity production. The issue that should be addressed moving forward is how to ensure enough electricity will be available for the expanded electrification of critical sectors such as transport, heating, and industry. Meeting this challenge while maintaining or even increasing the share of clean electricity will be crucial for sustainable growth.
Is Electricity Growing in El Salvador?
Despite these notable achievements in clean electricity, El Salvador has seen a decline in overall electricity consumption to 1125 kWh per person in 2024, compared to its previous record of 1240 kWh per person in 2021. The consumption of low-carbon electricity also saw a small decrease, from a high of 960 kWh per person in 2022 to 933 kWh per person in 2024. This decline in electricity consumption, especially in low-carbon electricity, is a concern. As the demand for electricity continues to expand due to electrification and advancements in technology, ensuring robust and sustainable growth in electricity generation becomes imperative.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation further, El Salvador can significantly benefit from expanding its solar energy infrastructure, which is already playing a vital role in the electrical landscape. By capitalizing on its geographical advantages for solar energy, El Salvador can increase its clean electricity supply, aligning with environmental goals and global energy trends. Encouraging investment in solar technologies would not only provide a reliable increase in electricity supply but also strengthen the country's resilience against energy shortages and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which have detrimental impacts like climate change and air pollution.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in El Salvador, there have been varied developments over the decades. The late 1970s and 1980s saw fluctuations in hydropower, with a notable increase by 0.4 TWh in 1979, followed by a slight decrease in the early 1980s. The 1990s echoed similar patterns, with ups and downs in hydropower contributions. Meanwhile, the turn of the millennium marked the inclusion of biofuels into the energy mix, and recent years brought promising growth in solar energy, notably a 0.4 TWh increase in 2020. This evolutionary journey highlights the country's adaptive energy landscape and its ongoing commitment to enhancing clean electricity generation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.