In 2023, Venezuela's electricity consumption predominantly relies on low-carbon sources, with almost 80% coming from clean energy. Hydropower is essentially the backbone of this low-carbon energy production, accounting for nearly all the clean electricity generated. On the other hand, fossil fuels contribute to about 22% of the electricity mix, with natural gas being the primary fossil fuel at approximately 15%. This indicates that while Venezuela does have a relatively high proportion of sustainable electricity, there's still a significant portion being derived from less environmentally friendly fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in Venezuela?
The trend in Venezuela's electricity consumption over the years presents a concern. The current per capita consumption stands at 2931 kWh, which is significantly lower than the record of 4329 kWh from 2014, marking a reduction of nearly 1400 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation has also experienced a decline, with the current figure of 2297 kWh/person dropping from a previous high of 3095 kWh/person in 2008, showing a downturn of almost 800 kWh. This reduction in both total consumption and low-carbon electricity poses a challenge as the nation looks to secure energy for the future while maintaining sustainable practices.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Venezuela could gain valuable insights from successful regions. Countries like France and Slovakia, which produce more than half of their electricity from nuclear sources, demonstrate the potential of nuclear energy in establishing a robust low-carbon grid. Additionally, regions such as Iowa and South Dakota excel in harnessing wind energy, providing reliable templates for integrating wind into the energy mix. Given Venezuela's geographic position, investing in solar energy similar to Lebanon (31% from solar) or Nevada (27% from solar) could further diversify and strengthen their clean energy portfolio, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating their adverse environmental impacts.
History
Historically, Venezuela's low-carbon electricity development has largely revolved around hydropower, with the 1980s and 1990s seeing steady increments. In 1985, 1987, and 1988, there were notable increases, followed by substantial boosts in 1991 and the mid-2000s. However, the 2010s were marked by declines, peaking in 2016 with a reduction of nearly 12 TWh. After years of struggle, the situation improved slightly in 2020 and 2021, but the overall trend underscores the fragility of relying predominantly on a single clean energy source. This history highlights the need for diversification and expansion into other low-carbon technologies such as solar and nuclear to ensure a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Venezuela.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.