El Salvador’s electricity demand grew by 4.3% in 2024, reaching 7,145.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up from 6,845.7 GWh in 2023, according to the country’s energy market administrator, the Unidad de Transacciones (UT).
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydroelectric power were the primary sources of electricity generation, with LNG accounting for 29% (2,126.7 GWh) and hydroelectric contributing 28.7% (2,111.9 GWh) of national production. Total energy injections into the market reached 7,544.3 GWh, with 97% (7,334.4 GWh) from domestic generation and 209 GWh from imports.
May recorded the highest monthly consumption at 658.8 GWh, with the peak demand of 1,194 MW occurring on May 20 at 3:30 p.m. The warm season, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, drove higher usage of cooling systems, particularly in March and April, which followed May in demand levels.
Renewable sources (excluding LNG) provided 65.3% of the total energy injections, with geothermal (19.8%), solar (7.04%), and wind energy (2%) making significant contributions. Thermal power plants relying on petroleum products added 5.6% (417.1 GWh).
Hydroelectric output was notably affected by the El Niño phenomenon, which delayed rains and reduced reservoir levels, leading to greater reliance on LNG to meet demand.