GUATEMALA

Coal’s importance in Guatemala’s energy mix has generally grown since 2000. In 2023, coal accounted for 17% of energy produced in the country. The country’s largest power station relies exclusively on coal, while numerous smaller dual-fuel plants have sprung up since 2012, burning sugar cane residue during the harvest season and coal for the rest of the year. Guatemala imports all of its coal, primarily from Colombia and the United States. In 2025, total operating capacity was 439 megawatts (MW).

In its May 2022 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submission under the Paris Agreement, Guatemala committed to reduce its emissions unconditionally by 11.2% below 2016 levels by 2030. With the support of the international community, this goal could conditionally increase to a 22.6% reduction within the same time period. Despite recent emphasis on renewables, coal is still seen as an important backup power source, especially during drought periods to replace hydropower. The country has no stated commitment to carbon neutrality or zero-emissions electricity.