In the period from August 2024 to July 2025, the electricity landscape in Peru has shown a significant portion of its consumption originating from low-carbon sources. More than half, specifically about 63%, of Peru's electricity comes from low-carbon energy, with hydropower making up almost 53% on its own. This reliance on clean energy sources is a testament to Peru's commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint. However, fossil fuels still account for a substantial 37% of electricity consumption, with gas making up almost the entire share. Wind and solar contribute 6.6% and 2.6%, respectively, highlighting that while progress in adopting clean energy is apparent, there is still significant room for improvement, especially in diversifying clean energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in Peru?
Despite some achievements, electricity consumption in Peru is experiencing a stage of slight decline rather than growth. The latest consumption figures indicate 1761 kWh per person, a decrease from the record 1869 kWh per person in 2024. This reduction signifies a downshift by 108 kWh per person, which is concerning given the global push for increased electricity access and consumption. In terms of low-carbon electricity generation, the numbers also show a slight decline, with the latest figure at 1103 kWh per person, down from the previous high of 1107 kWh. This drop of 4 kWh in clean electricity is disappointing, as it suggests an area of potential growth where progress has stagnated.
Suggestions
Peru can increase its low-carbon electricity generation by taking lessons from successful regions known for their high clean energy shares. For instance, incorporating more solar capacity could draw inspiration from countries such as Lebanon, which achieves a 31% electricity share from solar and regions like Chile with a 23% share from solar. Expanding wind energy, inspired by places like Uruguay at 34% and Lithuania at 33%, would also serve Peru well. Furthermore, the integration of nuclear power, as seen in France with 69% and Slovakia with 64%, can provide a steady and reliable source of low-carbon electricity. Adopting these technologies could significantly bolster Peru's position in clean energy generation, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels and aligning with global clean energy objectives.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Peru has been predominantly driven by hydropower, with various fluctuations over the decades. In the early 1980s and 1990s, hydropower saw incremental increases and occasional decreases, such as a notable decline in 1992. However, the 2000s marked a period of steady growth with an exception in 2004. A remarkable surge occurred in 2017 with an increase of 4.9 TWh, and more recently in 2024, with an increase of 2.9 TWh alongside the expansion of wind energy by 1.5 TWh. These historical insights indicate Peru's strong foundation in hydropower and emphasize the potential to further diversify its low-carbon portfolio by incorporating other renewable technologies like wind and solar, continuing the momentum that has been built over the decades.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.