According to the latest Monthly Electricity Generation Report published by the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), Latin America and the Caribbean generated 176 TWh of electricity in May 2026. This represents a 7.32% increase compared with the previous month and a 4.1% rise compared with May 2025. Hydropower remained the region\u2019s leading source of electricity, accounting for 43.4% of total generation, followed by natural gas (24.4%) and wind power (11.6%).<\/p>\n
The increase in electricity generation came amid a shift in the region\u2019s power generation mix. Compared with May 2025, hydropower output fell by 10 TWh due to lower water availability. This decline was offset primarily by a 6 TWh increase in natural gas-fired generation and a 4.4 TWh rise in wind power, alongside higher contributions from coal, oil and petroleum products.<\/p>\n
Despite reduced hydropower availability, renewable sources accounted for 64% of all electricity generated in the region in May. Between May 2025 and May 2026, the renewable share ranged from 63% to 72%, underscoring the continued predominance of renewables in the regional electricity mix.<\/p>\n
Nine of OLACDE\u2019s 27 Member Countries exceeded the regional average for renewable electricity generation in May: Paraguay (100%), Costa Rica (96%), Uruguay (94%), Brazil (89%), Colombia (82%), Venezuela (82%), Belize (75%), Ecuador (72%) and Peru (66%).<\/p>\n
The results highlight a power generation mix with a high share of renewables, while also underscoring the importance of complementary energy sources to respond to fluctuations in hydrological conditions and electricity demand.<\/p>\n