In 2025, about two-thirds of El Salvador’s electricity came from low-carbon sources, while almost a third came from fossil fuels. Hydropower supplied roughly a quarter of electricity, geothermal and solar each provided around 17%, biofuels contributed 6%, and wind supplied 2%. Gas accounted for about 26% of electricity, making it the largest fossil source. This substantial clean electricity share provides a strong foundation for further reducing dependence on fossil fuels and their climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in El Salvador?

Electricity consumption is growing in El Salvador: in 2025, it reached a new record of about 1,360 kWh per person, up from roughly 1,315 kWh in 2024—an increase of around 4%. Low-carbon electricity generation also reached a record, rising from 891 to 921 kWh per person, an increase of 30 kWh, or about 3%. These gains are encouraging, although faster clean electricity growth would help meet future demand from electrification and expanding digital services.

Suggestions

El Salvador should expand solar generation, building on a source that already supplies a substantial share of its electricity. The US states of Nevada and California demonstrate the potential, generating about 35% and 31% of their electricity from solar, respectively. Nearby Costa Rica, where wind supplies 13%, offers a relevant regional example for developing wind alongside existing clean sources. El Salvador should also consider nuclear electricity as part of its long-term strategy: Armenia generates almost a third of its electricity from nuclear, while France obtains about two-thirds. These examples offer useful lessons for developing a larger, more diverse low-carbon electricity supply, with solar expansion and consideration of nuclear playing central roles.

History

Historically, El Salvador’s low-carbon electricity generation has experienced repeated hydropower gains and setbacks. From the late 1970s through the 1990s, individual annual hydro changes ranged from a decline of 0.5 TWh to increases of 0.4 TWh. The 2000s began with a 0.6 TWh hydro decline, followed by gains in 2003 and 2008 and another decline in 2009. A strong 0.6 TWh rebound in 2010 preceded a setback in 2015 and renewed growth in 2017. In 2020, clean generation advanced substantially, with hydropower increasing by 0.5 TWh and solar by 0.4 TWh. Hydro added another 0.4 TWh in 2022, when biofuel generation fell by 0.3 TWh. A disappointing 0.6 TWh hydro decline in 2023 was reversed by an equal increase in 2024, underscoring the value of sustained solar growth and a more diversified clean electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade