In Argentina, the electricity consumption over the last year from May 2024 to April 2025 shows a closely balanced mix between fossil and low-carbon sources. A little over half of the electricity came from fossil fuels, with 48% from gas and a small amount of about 5% from oil. On the other hand, low-carbon sources contributed close to half, with hydropower being the most significant at roughly 24%. Wind energy accounted for more than a tenth, followed by nuclear at about 7%, and solar power, while growing, provided close to 3%. Biofuels comprised about 2%, highlighting their minor role in Argentina's electricity mix. The reliance on fossil fuels indicates a need for transitioning toward more clean and sustainable sources to combat climate change and improve air quality.
Is Electricity Growing in Argentina?
Despite an overall reduction in Argentina's electricity consumption per person, from 3569 kWh in 2016 to 3172 kWh in 2025, there is positive news in the realm of low-carbon electricity generation. This sector has seen growth, with the latest generation figures reaching 1474 kWh per person, which is an increase from the 2023 record of 1293 kWh. This improvement suggests a shift towards cleaner energy practices, which is crucial for environmental and energy sustainability. However, the decrease in overall electricity consumption is concerning, as the demands for electrification and technology like AI continue to grow. Increased efforts in electric growth, while ensuring environmental compatibility, will be crucial for Argentina's future energy needs.
Suggestions
To further enhance Argentina's low-carbon electricity generation, expanding the existing wind infrastructure would be beneficial, given its already substantial contribution to the energy mix. Learning from regions like Denmark and Iowa, which generate more than 55% of their electricity from wind power, can provide valuable insights. Nuclear energy offers another significant opportunity, taking inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power accounts for a major share of the electricity generated. Similarly, boosting solar energy efforts, drawing lessons from places like Lebanon where solar generates nearly a third of electricity, would also complement the diverse clean energy portfolio in Argentina, paving the way to a more sustainable and independent energy future.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Argentina, it's clear that hydropower has been a significant player since the 1980s, with fluctuating contributions year to year. In the early 1980s and 90s, Argentina witnessed notable increases in hydropower output, such as in 1980 and 1993. However, the late 1990s and mid-2000s saw declines, as in 1999 and 2007. More recently, since 2020, wind energy has seen growth with notable increases, such as in 2020. Hydropower's substantial increase in 2025 stands out as the largest single-year gain in recent memory. These historical shifts emphasize the potential for clean energy development, yet also the need for a more stable and diverse low-carbon energy strategy as Argentina moves forward.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.