Photo: Alexandre Buisse ( ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Chile: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Chile is placed 37th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 260.92 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 70.04 (2024).
Share
Energy
37th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Chile on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
260.92
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Chile: 260.92. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in South America
- 24.85 Paraguay
- Land neighbours
- Bolivia 495.71 · Peru 258.44
70.04
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Chile: 70.04. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in South America
- 100 Paraguay
- Land neighbours
- Bolivia 34 · Peru 60.11
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
70.2
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 31st of 99 by World Energy Council
Chile: 70.2. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in South America
- 75.9 Uruguay
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 70 · Bolivia 61.6 · Peru 65.8
02Over time
Which way Chile is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
ChileWorld median
Chile fell from 387.74 in 2000 to 260.92 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Chile World median 2024 260.9 433.7 2023 304.8 452.7 2022 373.9 476.3 2021 432.3 469.0 2020 438.1 482.0 2019 458.0 488.2 2018 471.9 500.4 2017 488.9 506.3 2016 498.1 521.9 2015 493.2 524.8 2014 495.7 522.3 2013 554.0 508.8 2012 532.9 525.4 2011 493.7 521.4 2010 481.6 515.5 2009 436.0 533.6 2008 454.4 517.2 2007 457.0 535.3 2006 355.4 537.5 2005 347.6 521.4 2004 391.7 523.1 2003 355.3 543.1 2002 329.9 551.3 2001 336.3 559.3 2000 387.7 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
ChileWorld median
Chile rose from 49.83 in 2000 to 70.04 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Chile World median 2024 70.0 32.062 2023 63.1 28.000 2022 55.3 28.881 2021 48.9 28.286 2020 48.4 27.125 2019 46.2 26.296 2018 45.9 25.505 2017 43.5 24.023 2016 42.9 22.218 2015 43.2 21.915 2014 42.8 21.151 2013 35.7 21.593 2012 36.3 19.869 2011 39.5 18.584 2010 40.2 18.572 2009 48.7 17.886 2008 45.5 15.923 2007 43.9 15.586 2006 55.0 15.392 2005 53.7 16.438 2004 46.7 16.445 2003 49.9 16.339 2002 55.2 13.826 2001 54.0 14.023 2000 49.8 15.612
03In context
Chile beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Chile and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | 37th | 260.92 | 70.04 | 70.2 |
 Peru | 50th | 258.44 | 60.11 | 65.8 |
 Bolivia | =85th | 495.71 | 34 | 61.6 |
 Argentina | not placed | — | — | 70 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Chile in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Chile is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Chile does better than the middle country measured.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27934.555.279▲ Improved since 2014
Chile: 34.55 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2667.0633.26▲ Improved since 2013
Chile: 67.06 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3270.0437.32▲ Improved since 2014
Chile: 70.04 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 50th of 162 · derived.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2361.4348.23No real change since 2013
Chile: 61.43 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.6732.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Chile: 2.673 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which Chile does worse than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.213.9833.21No real change since 2014
Chile: 3.983 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 85th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10099100▼ Worsened since 2014
Chile: 99 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10099.16100▼ Worsened since 2016
Chile: 99.16 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8538.2424.85No earlier reading
Chile: 38.24 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10090.7100▼ Worsened since 2014
Chile: 90.7 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7737.1925.77No earlier reading
Chile: 37.19 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 48th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 015.30▲ Improved since 2014
Chile: 15.3 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2735.3654.273No earlier reading
Chile: 5.365 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04922.783.049Moved since 2014
Chile: 22.78 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.14411.050.144Moved since 2014
Chile: 11.05 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1006,300100No earlier reading
Chile: 6,300 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5253,117525No earlier reading
Chile: 3,117 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 01.0930No real change since 2014
Chile: 1.093 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8529.3412.85No real change since 2014
Chile: 29.34 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.30.077Moved since 2014
Chile: 0.3 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58514.32.585Moved since 2014
Chile: 14.3 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.567.5849.5No real change since 2014
Chile: 67.58 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 01.9680Moved since 2015
Chile: 1.968 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Chile: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Chile: 0 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
No current reading for Chile
RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Chile’s 16 topics
Energy is Chile’s 5th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 23rd of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties32nd of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technology38th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture39th of 1844/4 keys
- Energy37th of 1653/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing46th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation41st of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital51st of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge58th of 1983/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade61st of 1774/4 keys
- Peace & Security79th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience88th of 1934/4 keys
- Gender & Equality88th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour94th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability105th of 1864/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality101st of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Chile can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Venezuela=8th2/3 keysThis page
Chile37th3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Chile on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Chile rank on energy?
Chile is placed 37th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Chile?
260.92 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Chile?
70.04 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Chile compare with Argentina on energy?
Argentina is not placed on Energy, holding too few of its key statistics, and Chile 37th. World Energy Trilemma Index: Argentina 70, Chile 70.2.
How have Chile’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 387.74 in 2000 to 260.92 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 49.83 in 2000 to 70.04 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Chile?
No current reading is published for Chile on RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Chile’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Chile (banner) — Alexandre Buisse ( ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Chile: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/chile/energy