Over the past year, from May 2025 to April 2026, electricity consumption in Puerto Rico was overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, contributing an overwhelming 97% of the total electricity generated. Within this category, natural gas alone was responsible for almost half of the electricity supply, specifically 47%, while coal made up approximately 17% of the mix. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources were responsible for only a small fraction, roughly 3% of the total electricity consumed. Among these, solar energy contributed around 1.4% and wind was close behind, at 1.1%. The dominance of fossil fuels in Puerto Rico's electricity generation is a pressing concern, given their detrimental impacts on climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Puerto Rico?

When examining the overall trend in electricity consumption in Puerto Rico, it becomes clear that there has been a significant decline over the years. The latest data from 2026 indicates that the average electricity consumption is about 5011 kWh per person, which is about 1602 kWh per person lower than the highest consumption record set in 2006, highlighting a downward trend in electricity usage. In terms of low-carbon electricity generation, the current figure stands at about 128 kWh per person, reflecting a further decrease from the 2024 record of 338 kWh per person. This decline in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption should be addressed with urgency to meet growing demand due to electrification and technological advancements like AI.

Suggestions

To foster an increase in low-carbon electricity generation in Puerto Rico, it would be beneficial to look at regions that have successfully integrated clean energy solutions. Solar energy could become a significant contributor to the island's energy needs, much like Nevada, where solar energy accounts for 35% of the state's electricity. Similarly, nuclear energy holds promise, as demonstrated by countries like France and Slovakia, which generate about two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear sources. By investing in both solar and nuclear energy, Puerto Rico can significantly increase its share of low-carbon electricity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and pave the way towards a more sustainable and resilient electricity system. Adopting these strategies can transform Puerto Rico into a clean energy leader, helping to mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuel dependence while supporting growing energy needs.

History

Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Puerto Rico, we observe a series of modest changes, particularly with hydro, wind, and solar power. From the early 1980s to the late 1990s, hydroelectric power showed small fluctuations, with incremental increases in some years and declines in others. In the early 2010s, wind energy made a brief surge in 2013 before stabilizing, while solar power began making notable advancements around 2018 and continued to grow until 2022. However, a notable setback occurred in 2025 when solar energy production reduced significantly. Thus, it is clear that in recent years, there have been efforts toward incorporating more low-carbon energy sources, but these efforts must be intensified and stabilized, particularly in the promising sectors of solar and nuclear energy, to ensure sustainable growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (May 2025 – Apr 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.