Guatemala's current electricity consumption landscape reveals a prominent reliance on low-carbon energy, which constitutes more than 70% of its total electricity mix. Within this low-carbon category, hydropower and biofuels are the major players, contributing to around 41% and 25% of the total consumption, respectively. Other clean energy sources like wind, geothermal, and solar collectively account for a smaller but vital segment, close to 7%. On the fossil fuel side, almost 25% of Guatemala's electricity comes from fossil sources, primarily coal, which provides about 17% of the total. Net imports make up a minor 3% of the mix, showcasing a relatively low dependency on external electricity sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Guatemala?
In terms of growth, recent data indicates a contraction rather than an increase in electricity consumption in Guatemala. The current per capita consumption stands at 769 kWh, a noticeable drop of 112 kWh from the peak in 2021. This decrease is mirrored within the low-carbon segment, which has seen a reduction from 646 kWh per person in 2021 to 553 kWh in 2023, a decline of 93 kWh. These figures suggest a concerning trend in electricity growth, particularly in the low-carbon sector, which is critical for sustainable development and addressing climate change.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Guatemala could look to successful regions in solar and wind energy, as well as nuclear options. For instance, Denmark and Iowa, both leaders in wind energy, generate over 50% of their electricity from wind. Meanwhile, countries like France and Slovakia achieve more than 60% of their electricity through nuclear power, demonstrating the potential of nuclear energy as a reliable and clean source. Guatemala could benefit from these models by investing in solar, inspired by regions like Lebanon with solar contributing to 31% or Nevada at 29%, as well as nuclear, ensuring energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
History
Guatemala's history with low-carbon electricity has seen fluctuations over the years, particularly within the hydropower sector. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydropower saw modest growth, increasing by about 0.8 TWh in 1986 and 0.4 TWh in 1990. The early 2000s experienced a boost, notably with a 0.9 TWh increase in 2010. However, there have been setbacks, such as declines of 0.7 TWh and 1 TWh in 2009 and 2015, respectively. The pattern continued with a significant dip in 2023, decreasing by 1.4 TWh. Biofuels, while part of the clean energy mix since 2010, have seen varied contributions with notable fluctuations. This history underlines the need for a robust and stable expansion of low-carbon sources, particularly emphasizing the strategic development of solar and nuclear energy.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.