In 2024, electricity consumption in Peru consists of both low-carbon and fossil energy sources, with low-carbon sources playing a slightly more prominent role. More than half of the electricity, around 59%, comes from low-carbon sources, primarily hydropower, which contributes to around 50% of the total electricity generation alone. Slightly less than 41% of electricity consumption relies on fossil energy, predominantly natural gas, which makes up roughly 39%. Wind and solar power, although less significant, also contribute to the country's clean energy mix, making up approximately 6% and 2% of the electricity generation, respectively. This blend signifies a commendable step towards cleaner, more sustainable electricity generation in Peru.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Peru?
The country's electricity demand seems to be on a modest upward trajectory. In 2024, electricity consumption reached 1869 kWh per person, registering an increase from the previous year's record of 1839 kWh per person, allowing us to see a positive change of 30 kWh per person. Even more encouragingly, low-carbon electricity generation has grown, with recent figures standing at 1107 kWh per person. Compared to Peru's previous record in 2019 of 1061 kWh per person for low-carbon electricity, this marks a remarkable increase of 46 kWh per person. This growth in both total and clean electricity generation indicates progress toward meeting the increasing demand for energy in a sustainable manner and reflects Peru's commitment to greener energy solutions.
Suggestions
To further expand its low-carbon electricity generation, Peru can look to regions that have found success with both solar and nuclear energy. For instance, countries like France and Slovakia have demonstrated significant commitment to nuclear energy, with around 67% and 66% of their electricity generated from this source, respectively. These figures highlight nuclear power's potential for large-scale, stable energy generation. Additionally, regions like Nevada and Lebanon provide inspiring examples of solar power, with roughly a third of their electricity generated from solar. By leveraging nuclear for its reliability and scale, and solar for its environmental benefits, Peru can effectively enhance its low-carbon energy portfolio, build a robust and sustainable energy future, and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Peru's journey toward low-carbon electricity generation has been shaped largely by hydropower, with periodic expansions and setbacks. Starting from the early 1980s, noticeable increases in hydropower generation were recorded, such as an increase of 1 TWh in 1981 and further growth through the 1990s, with notable increments each year. However, there were occasional setbacks, like a decline in 1992 by 1.8 TWh. Significant gains were made in the 2000s and continued through the next decade; 2017 saw a substantial increase of 4.9 TWh. In the early 2020s, fluctuations continued, with 2022 experiencing a setback of 2.2 TWh but rebounding in 2024 with an additional 2.9 TWh from hydropower alone. That year also marked a significant contribution from wind, adding 1.5 TWh to Peru's green energy mix. This dynamic history underscores the country's ongoing efforts and achievements in expanding its low-carbon electricity capacity.
