In Ecuador's current electricity landscape, more than two-thirds of the electricity comes from low-carbon sources, which is a significant contribution to reducing emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Hydropower is the dominant low-carbon energy source, accounting for nearly all of this low-carbon electricity generation, while other contributions like biofuels are relatively minor. Fossil energy still represents close to a third of the electricity generation, with gas contributing a small fraction. The reliance on fossil fuels is concerning due to the negative impacts of greenhouse gases that they release, contributing to climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Ecuador?
Despite Ecuador's robust low-carbon electricity share, overall electricity consumption has recently witnessed a decline, which raises some concerns. In 2024, the total electricity consumption was 1834 kWh per person, marking a decrease of 80 kWh per person from the previous year. This downward trend is paralleled in low-carbon electricity generation, which also fell below its record level in 2021. With the latest figures at 1304 kWh per person and a decrease of 171 kWh per person from the high in 2021, the diminishing progress in clean electricity generation is discouraging. Ecuador must reverse this trend to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity supply in the future.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Ecuador could learn from regions that have effectively harnessed solar and nuclear power. Countries like France and Slovakia, with high percentages of nuclear-generated electricity, highlight the potential of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, solar energy can also be expanded, as evidenced by regions like Nevada and Lebanon, where solar contributes a significant share of their clean energy mix. By investing in solar installations and considering nuclear energy development, Ecuador could diversify its low-carbon energy portfolio, ensuring a more balanced and resilient electricity system while reducing dependence on hydropower.
History
In reviewing the history of low-carbon electricity in Ecuador, hydropower has been the predominant contributing factor. Starting from the early 1980s, notable increases in hydropower were seen in years like 1984 and the mid-1990s, contributing significant increases annually. The early 2000s experienced further development, with substantial growth from 2007 to 2019. However, there were periods of decline, notably in 1995, 2009, and more recently in 2024. These fluctuations suggest that while hydropower had its growth spurts, sustaining and diversifying the sources of low-carbon electricity is crucial to prevent reliance on a single source and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
