Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, the electricity consumption in the Philippines reflects a heavy reliance on fossil energy, which accounts for more than three-quarters of the total electricity produced. Coal, as the primary source within this category, provides almost three-fifths of the electricity, while gas contributes about a sixth. Low-carbon sources, on the other hand, make up a little less than a quarter of the total electricity supply. Within this clean energy segment, hydropower leads with about 11%, followed closely by geothermal at just over 8%. Solar energy accounts for roughly 3.5%, and biofuels are barely over 1%. This distribution clearly indicates a significant imbalance between the use of fossil fuels and low-carbon energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Philippines?
The recent figures for electricity consumption in the Philippines indicate a very modest growth. As of 2025, the average electricity consumption per person rose to 1051 kWh, a small increase from the previous record of 1045 kWh/person in 2024. This change reflects a gain of merely 6 kWh/person, a slight uptick that highlights the slow pace of growth in electricity consumption. In the low-carbon sector, the consumption is now at 259 kWh/person, a more notable rise of 15 kWh/person when compared to the previous peak recorded in 2000. Although there have been strides forward, these incremental improvements underscore the critical need for accelerating growth in both total and low-carbon electricity to keep pace with future demands.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, the Philippines can look to successful regions as models. Countries such as Chile have capitalized on solar energy, producing around 24% of their electricity from this resource, which is especially relevant to the sunny climate of the Philippines. Similarly, the success of nuclear energy in nations like France and Slovakia, which generate around two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear power, serves as a compelling example for the Philippines to consider expanding its nuclear capacity. Regions like Iowa and South Dakota, which have achieved significant contributions from wind energy, also highlight the importance of diversifying the low-carbon energy mix, though for the Philippines, solar and nuclear present the most immediate opportunities for significant advancements in clean electricity.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity generation in the Philippines, there have been several key developments and fluctuations. The 1980s saw incremental increases in hydropower, although these gains saw a decline towards the end of the decade. In the late 1990s, geothermal energy witnessed growth, significantly in 1998 and 1999, but suffered a setback in the early 2000s. The latter half of the 2000s and the following decade showed some inconsistency in hydropower generation, with gains often being offset by declines nearly as significant. Noticeably, the recent past has seen a revival, highlighted by an increase in solar energy in 2024 and a significant boost in hydropower in 2025. This trajectory emphasizes the potential for solar and nuclear energy as the Philippines aims for a greener future.
