In Ecuador, the current state of electricity consumption showcases a strong reliance on low-carbon sources. More than two-thirds of the country's electricity is generated from low-carbon sources, predominantly hydropower, which accounts for over two-thirds of the total electricity mix. Less than one-third of the electricity in Ecuador comes from fossil fuel sources, with a negligible contribution from gas and biofuels. This significant reliance on low-carbon energy positions Ecuador favorably in addressing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint, as it minimizes the adverse environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel consumption.
Is Electricity Growing in Ecuador?
Despite Ecuador's commendable focus on clean electricity, the country's overall electricity consumption is experiencing a decline. In 2024, electricity consumption reached 1834 kWh/person, which is lower than the previous year’s record of 1914 kWh/person. This decrease reflects a drop of 80 kWh/person compared to the historic peak in 2023. Regarding low-carbon electricity, there has been a decline as well, with the 2024 generation being 1304 kWh/person, down from the 2021 record of 1475 kWh/person, indicating a drop of 171 kWh/person. Such declines signal a need for renewed efforts to boost electricity consumption and generation, particularly from low-carbon sources, to meet future energy demands and take full advantage of technological advancements.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Ecuador can look to countries that have successfully integrated solar and nuclear energy. For instance, France generates a significant 69% of its electricity from nuclear energy, while Denmark harnesses wind power for 57% of its electricity. Incorporating solar energy, as seen in Greece at 25%, can complement hydropower, especially given Ecuador's favorable geography for solar power development. By aspiring toward such examples, Ecuador can further diversify its clean energy portfolio, decrease its reliance on hydropower during dry periods, and ultimately expand its capacity to offer sustainable electricity solutions for the future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Ecuador, seen predominantly through the lens of hydropower, demonstrates periods of remarkable growth interspersed with some declining years. In the 1980s and early 1990s, incremental increases were noticed, but a brief decline occurred in 1995. Surges in the 2000s, especially after 2007, saw notable increases, reaching another peak between 2011 and 2019. However, the years following 2021 showed downturns, with the most significant regression seen in 2024. This underscores the importance of establishing a more diverse low-carbon portfolio that includes robust alternative sources such as solar and nuclear energy to ensure a consistent upward trajectory in the future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.