Photo: Renemgb · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
El Salvador: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
El Salvador is placed 33rd of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 113.97 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 90.83 (2024).
Share
Energy
33rd
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place El Salvador 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.
113.97
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
El Salvador: 113.97. 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 Central America
- 25.82 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 301.46 · Honduras 321.95
90.83
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
El Salvador: 90.83. 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 Central America
- 99.91 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 68.33 · Honduras 55.45
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
62.5
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 53rd of 99 by World Energy Council
El Salvador: 62.5. 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 Central America
- 69.7 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 59.3 · Honduras 52.3
02Over time
Which way El Salvador 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
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador fell from 308.22 in 2000 to 113.97 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2024 114.0 433.7 2023 135.0 452.7 2022 113.3 476.3 2021 145.1 469.0 2020 151.9 482.0 2019 236.1 488.2 2018 195.6 500.4 2017 213.0 506.3 2016 307.3 521.9 2015 309.7 524.8 2014 293.3 522.3 2013 289.1 508.8 2012 288.1 525.4 2011 267.9 521.4 2010 255.2 515.5 2009 309.2 533.6 2008 267.7 517.2 2007 305.7 535.3 2006 295.3 537.5 2005 305.1 521.4 2004 330.0 523.1 2003 307.1 543.1 2002 341.8 551.3 2001 320.7 559.3 2000 308.2 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 55.89 in 2000 to 90.83 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2024 90.84 32.062 2023 87.79 28.000 2022 90.80 28.881 2021 86.04 28.286 2020 84.76 27.125 2019 71.48 26.296 2018 77.94 25.505 2017 74.78 24.023 2016 59.42 22.218 2015 58.32 21.915 2014 60.16 21.151 2013 60.76 21.593 2012 60.64 19.869 2011 63.53 18.584 2010 65.46 18.572 2009 56.75 17.886 2008 63.28 15.923 2007 57.17 15.586 2006 58.60 15.392 2005 56.86 16.438 2004 52.80 16.445 2003 56.32 16.339 2002 50.68 13.826 2001 53.90 14.023 2000 55.89 15.612
03In context
El Salvador 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.
El Salvador 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | 33rd | 113.97 | 90.83 | 62.5 |
 Guatemala | 66th | 301.46 | 68.33 | 59.3 |
 Honduras | 77th | 321.95 | 55.45 | 52.3 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below El Salvador in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where El Salvador is ahead of the world, and behind
21 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 El Salvador does better than the middle country measured.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3290.8337.32▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 90.83 · 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 21st of 162 · derived.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27921.295.279▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 21.29 · 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.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8511.7224.85No earlier reading
El Salvador: 11.72 · 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.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.211.4163.21▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 1.416 · 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 143rd of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.4992.738▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 2.499 · 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 median5
Statistics on which El Salvador does worse than the middle country measured.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2338.2748.23▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 38.27 · 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.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2627.3933.26▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 27.39 · 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.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10098.7100▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 98.7 · 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.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10096.6100▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 96.6 · 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 25.7736.8125.77No earlier reading
El Salvador: 36.81 · 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 52nd of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end11
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04919.153.049Moved since 2014
El Salvador: 19.15 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.8274.273No earlier reading
El Salvador: 4.827 · 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.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8532.6312.85Moved since 2014
El Salvador: 32.63 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.6480.144No real change since 2014
El Salvador: 0.648 · 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 10054100No earlier reading
El Salvador: 54 · 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.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0260.077No real change since 2014
El Salvador: 0.026 · 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.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.525.249.5Moved since 2014
El Salvador: 25.2 · 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.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
El Salvador: 0 · 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.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
El Salvador: 0 · 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.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250525No earlier reading
El Salvador: 0 · 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.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0-5.0550Moved since 2014
El Salvador: -5.055 · 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 El Salvador
Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Gas Share of Electricity Generation, Nuclear Share of Electricity Generation, Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2019), 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 El Salvador’s 16 topics
Energy is El Salvador’s best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy33rd of 1653/3 keys
- Work & Labour50th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality74th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture90th of 1844/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 88th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing107th of 2004/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability106th of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Security107th of 1773/4 keys
- Digital & Technology120th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital128th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 136th of 1934/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties141st of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions139th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality115th of 1592/3 keys
- Mobility & Trade130th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge156th of 1984/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders El Salvador 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 keysHighest in Central America
Costa Rica12th3/3 keysThis page
El Salvador33rd3/3 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
El Salvador 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 El Salvador rank on energy?
El Salvador is placed 33rd 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 El Salvador?
113.97 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 El Salvador?
90.83 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does El Salvador compare with Guatemala on energy?
Guatemala is placed 66th of 165, and El Salvador 33rd. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: Guatemala 301.46, El Salvador 113.97; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: Guatemala 68.33, El Salvador 90.83; World Energy Trilemma Index: Guatemala 59.3, El Salvador 62.5.
How have El Salvador’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 308.22 in 2000 to 113.97 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 55.89 in 2000 to 90.83 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for El Salvador?
No current reading is published for El Salvador on Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Gas Share of Electricity Generation, Nuclear Share of Electricity Generation, Primary Schools with Electricity, 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 21 statistics on this page come from 7 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
El Salvador’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- El Salvador (banner) — Renemgb, CC0
- 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). El Salvador: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/el-salvador/energy