Nicaragua Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
Nicaragua generated 4.52 TWh of electricity in 2024, according to Ember. Other fossil was the largest source at 37.6%, followed by bioenergy (19.7%) and other renewables (15.3%). Demand was 5.42 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 300 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2024; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- Nicaragua generated 4.52 TWh of electricity in 2024.
- Other fossil supplied 37.6% of Nicaragua's electricity in 2024.
- Bioenergy supplied 19.7% of Nicaragua's electricity in 2024.
- Other renewables supplied 15.3% of Nicaragua's electricity in 2024.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 62.4% of Nicaragua's generation in 2024.
- The carbon intensity of Nicaragua's electricity was 300 gCO2/kWh in 2024.
- Nicaragua's carbon intensity in 2024 was 44% lower than in 2000, when it was 535 gCO2/kWh.
- Nicaragua had the 130th highest electricity demand among the 197 countries with Ember data for 2024.
Key Figures, 2024
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 4.52 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 5.42 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 0.78 MWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Net imports | 900 GWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 300 gCO2/kWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 1.36 MtCO2 | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2024 data) | 130 of 197 | 2024 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2024
| Source | Generation | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other fossil | 1.70 TWh | 37.6% |
| Bioenergy | 890 GWh | 19.7% |
| Other renewables | 690 GWh | 15.3% |
| Hydro | 650 GWh | 14.4% |
| Wind | 560 GWh | 12.4% |
| Solar | 30.0 GWh | 0.7% |
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2024| Year | Other fossil | Bioenergy | Other renewables | Hydro | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1.79 TWh | 150 GWh | 130 GWh | 210 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2001 | 1.98 TWh | 90.0 GWh | 210 GWh | 190 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2002 | 1.91 TWh | 130 GWh | 210 GWh | 300 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2003 | 1.96 TWh | 180 GWh | 270 GWh | 290 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2004 | 2.02 TWh | 220 GWh | 250 GWh | 320 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2005 | 1.84 TWh | 320 GWh | 270 GWh | 430 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2006 | 2.19 TWh | 320 GWh | 310 GWh | 310 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2007 | 2.28 TWh | 380 GWh | 240 GWh | 300 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2008 | 2.17 TWh | 340 GWh | 320 GWh | 530 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2009 | 2.39 TWh | 360 GWh | 300 GWh | 290 GWh | 110 GWh |
| 2010 | 2.31 TWh | 380 GWh | 300 GWh | 500 GWh | 160 GWh |
| 2011 | 2.52 TWh | 370 GWh | 270 GWh | 440 GWh | 210 GWh |
| 2012 | 2.31 TWh | 450 GWh | 520 GWh | 420 GWh | 330 GWh |
| 2013 | 1.99 TWh | 480 GWh | 680 GWh | 460 GWh | 560 GWh |
| 2014 | 2.06 TWh | 490 GWh | 660 GWh | 400 GWh | 850 GWh |
| 2015 | 2.29 TWh | 460 GWh | 680 GWh | 290 GWh | 870 GWh |
| 2016 | 2.19 TWh | 530 GWh | 710 GWh | 430 GWh | 730 GWh |
| 2017 | 1.99 TWh | 670 GWh | 750 GWh | 470 GWh | 630 GWh |
| 2018 | 1.92 TWh | 700 GWh | 800 GWh | 410 GWh | 800 GWh |
| 2019 | 1.97 TWh | 840 GWh | 780 GWh | 230 GWh | 730 GWh |
| 2020 | 1.14 TWh | 730 GWh | 770 GWh | 570 GWh | 550 GWh |
| 2021 | 1.30 TWh | 890 GWh | 730 GWh | 600 GWh | 660 GWh |
| 2022 | 1.55 TWh | 890 GWh | 690 GWh | 600 GWh | 560 GWh |
| 2023 | 1.70 TWh | 890 GWh | 690 GWh | 650 GWh | 560 GWh |
| 2024 | 1.70 TWh | 890 GWh | 690 GWh | 650 GWh | 560 GWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4.52 TWh | 5.42 TWh | 300 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 4.52 TWh | 5.34 TWh | 300 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 4.32 TWh | 5.38 TWh | 291 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 4.21 TWh | 5.21 TWh | 260 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 3.79 TWh | 4.86 TWh | 252 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 4.58 TWh | 5.01 TWh | 332 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 4.65 TWh | 4.85 TWh | 314 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 4.52 TWh | 4.85 TWh | 332 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 4.59 TWh | 4.78 TWh | 348 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 4.59 TWh | 4.60 TWh | 358 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for Nicaragua, 2000 to 2024
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2024.
Nicaragua Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in Nicaragua?
Other fossil was the largest source of electricity in Nicaragua in 2024, supplying 37.6% of generation, followed by bioenergy (19.7%) and other renewables (15.3%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does Nicaragua use?
Nicaragua used 5.42 TWh of electricity in 2024, about 0.78 MWh per person.
How clean is Nicaragua's electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in Nicaragua emitted 300 gCO2/kWh in 2024, and low carbon sources supplied 62.4% of generation. That is 36% below the world average of 472 gCO2/kWh.
Does Nicaragua import electricity?
Yes. Nicaragua imported 900 GWh more electricity than it exported in 2024.