In the period from May 2024 to April 2025, Chile's electricity generation has shown a promising inclination towards low-carbon sources. More than two-thirds of the country's electricity is supplied by clean energy, with hydropower, solar, and wind making up the lion's share. Hydropower leads the low-carbon charge at about 28%, closely followed by solar energy at 23%, and wind at nearly 13%. When it comes to fossil fuels, gas and coal are the primary contributors, collectively accounting for nearly a third of the country's electricity. While biofuels contribute a modest 6% to Chile's electricity mix, the overall scenario hints at a solid commitment to sustainable electricity practices.
Is Electricity Growing in Chile?
Despite these strides in low-carbon electricity generation, Chile's overall electricity consumption paints a slightly more challenging picture. In 2025, the average consumption per person was approximately 4403 kWh, showing a decrease compared to the 2022 peak of 4656 kWh. This decline of 253 kWh per person signals a potential struggle to maintain momentum. Similarly, in the realm of low-carbon electricity, the latest figures came in at 3111 kWh per individual, which is a slight drop from the 2024 record of 3154 kWh. The reduction in both total and low-carbon electricity consumption emphasizes the necessity for Chile to harness more sustainable electricity generation methods to meet its growing future demands.
Suggestions
To ensure future growth in low-carbon electricity, Chile could benefit by expanding its existing solar and wind infrastructure. The country should also take a leaf out of regions excelling in this field. For wind energy, states like Iowa and South Dakota have achieved high shares, exceeding 60%. Meanwhile, for nuclear energy, countries like France and Slovakia have tapped extensively into this reliable, low-carbon energy source, with close to two-thirds of their electricity being produced from nuclear power. By learning from these regions, Chile can bolster its own low-carbon electricity profile, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
History
Historically, Chile has experienced varied successes in low-carbon electricity generation. The 1990s saw robust growth in hydropower, with some years experiencing significant increases, such as 4.2 TWh in 1991 and 6 TWh in 2000. However, this trend did not continue seamlessly, with notable setbacks seen in years like 1998 and 2007, where hydroelectric production fell by 3 TWh and 5.9 TWh respectively. More recently, solar power has grown rapidly, especially with gains of over 5 TWh in 2022. These ebbs and flows underscore the importance of consistent investment and development in clean electricity technologies, as the country aims to strengthen its position in the realm of sustainable energy yet face challenges in the path toward a balanced low-carbon portfolio.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.