Guatemala energy mix & electricity
Power plants in Guatemala produced 15.8 TWh of electricity in 2024. Hydropower is the largest source at 39.9%, ahead of bioenergy (22.2%) and coal (15.8%).
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 6.3 | 39.9% | −5.6 |
| Bioenergy | 3.5 | 22.2% | +1.8 |
| Coal | 2.5 | 15.8% | −1.8 |
| Oil | 2.5 | 15.8% | +1.9 |
| Wind | 0.37 | 2.3% | +2.3 |
| Other renewables | 0.34 | 2.2% | −0.3 |
| Solar | 0.28 | 1.8% | +1.7 |
| Total | 15.79 | 100% |
Guatemala: electricity in context
Power plants in Guatemala produced 15.8 TWh of electricity in 2024. That is similar to Kyrgyzstan. Hydropower is the largest source at 39.9%, ahead of bioenergy (22.2%) and coal (15.8%).
68.3% of the country’s power came from renewable sources: 40th of 158 countries. This puts it 35 points above the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for North America (28.8%). Generating one kWh emits about 301 g CO₂e here (world average: 458 g). That makes the grid somewhat cleaner than the world average. On carbon intensity, Guatemala ranks 62nd of 158 from the cleanest.
Since 2014, hydropower has added the most generation in absolute terms (+1.5 TWh), yet its share of the mix fell by 5.6 percentage points because other sources grew even faster. Measured by share of the mix, wind power gained most, up 2.3 percentage points. Overall, the renewable share has barely moved over ten years (a change of under one percentage point).
Coal supplies 15.8% of electricity. That is 1.8 percentage points less than in 2014. The peak was 32% in 2019. In absolute terms, coal generation peaked in 2019 at 4.1 TWh and has since fallen 38%.
Wind and solar together provided 4.1% of electricity (solar 1.8%, wind 2.3%), compared with 17.3% worldwide.
Guatemala generates 858 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 22% of the global average. Imports cover around 3% of demand: Guatemala bought 560 GWh more electricity than it exported.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Guatemala against the world and North America averages.
Total energy: beyond electricity
Primary energy covers transport, heating and industry too. Per person, that is 5,010 kWh a year (world: 21,654).
Domestic extraction of coal, gas and oil, in energy terms.
Power plants in Guatemala
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 76 utility-scale plants in Guatemala with a combined capacity of 3.7 GW. Hydro plants account for the largest slice (27% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Chixoy (300 MW, Hydro). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chixoy | Hydro | 300 | 1983 | — |
| 2 | Jaguar Energy power station | Coal | 300 | 2016 | Jaguar Energy Guatemala |
| 3 | Arizona Vapor | Oil | 170 | 2008 | — |
| 4 | Magdalena | Biomass | 145 | 1994 | — |
| 5 | San Jose | Coal | 139 | 2000 | — |
| 6 | Poliwatt | Oil | 129 | 2000 | — |
| 7 | Biomass | Biomass | 119 | 2014 | — |
| 8 | Santa Ana | Biomass | 105 | 1995 | — |
| 9 | Xacbal | Hydro | 94 | 2010 | — |
| 10 | Aguacapa | Hydro | 90 | 1982 | — |
| 11 | Las Palmas | Oil | 89 | 1998 | — |
| 12 | Trinidad | Biomass | 87 | 2011 | — |
| 13 | Palo Viejo | Hydro | 85 | 2012 | — |
| 14 | Las Palmas II | Coal | 83 | 2012 | — |
| 15 | Pantaleon | Biomass | 82 | 1991 | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 76 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Guatemala
26 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 364 MW of solar and 106 MW of wind operating, plus 344 MW under construction or planned.
How does Guatemala compare?
Guatemala next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | 68.3% | 68.3% | 31.7% | 301 | 858 | 15.8 | — | |
| Mexico | 23.1% | 25.9% | 74.1% | 474 | 2,705 | 357 | Compare | |
| Honduras | 55.4% | 55.4% | 44.6% | 322 | 1,153 | 12.5 | Compare | |
| El Salvador | 86.5% | 86.5% | 13.5% | 139 | 1,015 | 6.5 | Compare | |
| Belize | 87.2% | 87.2% | 12.8% | 170 | 1,127 | 0.5 | Compare | |
| Nicaragua | 62.4% | 62.4% | 37.6% | 301 | 654 | 4.5 | Compare | |
| Costa Rica | 100% | 100% | 0% | 24 | 2,486 | 12.8 | Compare | |
| North America average | 28.8% | 44.7% | 55.3% | 369 | 9,025 | 5,534 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Guatemala
Guatemala energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Guatemala is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Guatemala?
How clean is the electricity in Guatemala?
Does Guatemala have nuclear power?
How much electricity does Guatemala use per person?
How much solar power does Guatemala produce?
Does Guatemala import electricity?
More countries in North America
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2024. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.