Global GridNicaragua's energy mix and electricity
🇳🇮 In 2024, Nicaragua generated 4.52 TWh of electricity. The largest source was oil and other fossil fuels at 38%, followed by bioenergy (20%) and geothermal (15%). In total, 63% came from low-carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) and 38% from fossil fuels.
On average, each kilowatt hour produced about 301 grams of carbon dioxide (CO₂), below the world average of 458 grams in 2025. That makes Nicaragua the 61st cleanest of 158 countries that generate at least 1 TWh a year.
Electricity demand was 5.42 TWh. Nicaragua imported 0.90 TWh more electricity than it exported, equal to 17% of its demand.
Since 2000, electricity generation has grown by 98%, from 2.28 TWh. The low-carbon share went from 22% to 62%. The biggest rise was in bioenergy, from 7% to 20% of generation. The biggest fall was in oil and other fossil fuels, from 79% to 38%. Carbon intensity fell from 531 to 301 grams per kWh.
Live, hour-by-hour figures for Nicaragua are not connected yet. The dashboard shows its yearly figures, energy mix since 2000 and interconnector trade.
Energy mix in 2024
- Oil and other fossil fuels 38%
- Bioenergy 20%
- Geothermal 15%
- Hydro 14%
- Wind 12%
- Solar 0.7%
| Source | Share | Generated |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and other fossil fuels | 38% | 1.70 TWh |
| Bioenergy | 20% | 0.89 TWh |
| Geothermal | 15% | 0.69 TWh |
| Hydro | 14% | 0.65 TWh |
| Wind | 12% | 0.56 TWh |
| Solar | 0.7% | 0.03 TWh |
Energy security score
Strong. Nicaragua ranks 64th of 158 countries and 18th of 29 in Americas. The score shows how well a country could keep electricity affordable and on if fuel supplies were disrupted. It is based on 4 of the 5 measures.
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| Produces its own energy No reliable figure exists for Nicaragua, so this measure is left out and the other four count for more. | n/a |
| Variety of power sources How evenly generation is spread across nine sources. The largest, oil and other fossil fuels, made 38%. | 86 |
| Little reliance on imported power Net imports were 17% of demand; each 1% takes off 2 points. | 67 |
| Low-carbon power Nuclear and renewables made 63% of generation. | 63 |
| Low gas and oil use Gas and oil made 38% of generation; the score is 100 minus that share. | 62 |
The five measures are weighted 30%, 20%, 20%, 15% and 15%. How the score works.
Oil and gas pipelines
For liquefied natural gas (LNG), shipped by sea, it lists 0 import terminals operating (1 more being built or proposed).
See them on the interactive map · Pipelines around the world
How it has changed
| Year | Generated | Low-carbon | Fossil | CO₂ g/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2.28 TWh | 22% | 79% | 531 |
| 2005 | 2.86 TWh | 35% | 64% | 455 |
| 2010 | 3.65 TWh | 36% | 63% | 444 |
| 2015 | 4.59 TWh | 50% | 50% | 362 |
| 2020 | 3.79 TWh | 70% | 30% | 251 |
| 2023 | 4.52 TWh | 62% | 38% | 301 |
| 2024 | 4.52 TWh | 62% | 38% | 301 |
Questions about Nicaragua's energy
What is Nicaragua's energy mix?
In 2024, Nicaragua's electricity came from oil and other fossil fuels 38%, bioenergy 20%, geothermal 15% and hydro 14%.
How much of Nicaragua's electricity is renewable?
63% of its electricity came from renewables in 2024 (bioenergy 20%, geothermal 15%, hydro 14% and wind 12%).
What is Nicaragua's main source of electricity?
Oil and other fossil fuels, which made 38% of its electricity in 2024.
How clean is Nicaragua's electricity?
About 301 grams of CO₂ for each kilowatt hour in 2024, below the world average of 458 grams. It ranks 61st cleanest of 158 countries that generate at least 1 TWh a year.
Does Nicaragua import electricity?
Yes: in 2024 it imported 0.90 TWh more than it exported, 17% of its demand.
How secure is Nicaragua's energy supply?
Global Grid's energy security score for Nicaragua is 70 out of 100 (strong), 64th of 158 countries. It looks at how much of its own energy it produces, how varied its power sources are, its reliance on imported power and its use of low-carbon power, gas and oil.
Other countries in Latin America and Caribbean
Sources: Ember yearly electricity data (CC BY 4.0), figures up to 2024; pipelines and LNG terminals from Global Energy Monitor's Global Oil Infrastructure Tracker (June 2026 release) and Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker (November 2025 release) (CC BY 4.0). Ember's latest-year figures are first estimates and may be revised. TWh: terawatt hours (one billion kWh).