The total solar panel production capacity installed in Bolivia is estimated to be 172 MW in 2023 by IRENA. ⁸

From the data of future solar park construction, it is estimated that Bolivia will add 60 MW of solar energy to his grid by 2025.

One researcher has estimated that Bolivia has a massive solar PV potential of 40 TW, capable of generating 70,000 TWh of electricity per year. ⁹

• Thermoelectric Units: Costs range from $0.01132/kWh to $0.03284/kWh. ⁹
• Solar and Wind: Resource potential is based on land area with costs between $0.04/kWh and $0.05/kWh.
• Hydroelectricity: Average cost is $0.055/kWh.

In 2022, Bolivia’s total installed capacity was 4,138 MW. Natural gas was the largest contributor with 2,791.2 MW, accounting for 67.45% of the total. Large hydro followed with 468.6 MW (11.32%), and small hydro added 290 MW (7.01%). Solar PV contributed 170 MW (4.11%), with Solar System Installers in Bolivia playing a key role in this contribution. Biomass & waste provided 178.5 MW (4.31%), wind added 135 MW (3.26%), and oil & diesel accounted for 104.7 MW (2.53%). ⁴

Source	Capacity (MW)	Percentage (%)
Natural Gas	2791	67.45
Large Hydro	469	11.32
Small Hydro	290	7.01
Biomass & Waste	179	4.31
Solar PV	170	4.11
Wind	135	3.26
Oil & Diesel	105	2.53

In 2022, Bolivia’s total electricity generation was 11,216.4 GWh. Natural gas led with 6,037 GWh (53.82%), followed by small hydro at 2,532.8 GWh (22.58%) and large hydro at 1,954 GWh (17.42%). Solar PV generated 346.2 GWh (3.09%), biomass & waste 181.3 GWh (1.62%), wind 119.3 GWh (1.06%), and oil & diesel 45.8 GWh (0.41%).

Source	Generation (GWh)	Percentage (%)
Natural Gas	6037	53.82
Small Hydro	2533	22.58
Large Hydro	1954	17.42
Solar PV	346	3.09
Biomass & Waste	181	1.62
Wind	119	1.06
Oil & Diesel	46	0.41

Projected Renewable Energy ¹⁰

Bolivia’s Electric Plan 2020-2025 aims to reach 183 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2025, with targets of:

• Biomass: 10 MW
• Wind: 53 MW
• Solar PV: 20 MW
• Geothermal: 100 MW

System average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) indicates that on average each customer experienced approximately 8.6 interruptions in their electricity service per year. (2019) ⁵

System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) for Bolivia indicates on average, each customer in Bolivia experiences a total of 8.0 hours of power outages annually. (2019) ⁶

Enersol a solar energy claimed that they have installed 15,000 photovoltaic systems, 33,000 panels, and 9.5 MW of power throughout the country. ¹¹

A recent research paper estimates that 30,000 Photovoltaic systems have been installed in off-grid rural areas, powering 40,000 homes in the last 10 years in Bolivia. ¹²

Installed: 4 solar farms are operating in Bolivia.

Projected: 2 solar farms are under construction in Bolivia.

Installed: IRENA estimated that Bolivia produces 5.3 MW of its energy from off-grid photovoltaic systems in 2023. ⁸

Projected: IRENA data from 2014 to 2023 shows that the off-grid solar capacity is likely to remain stable at around 5.28 MW in the upcoming years.

The average annual growth rate from 2021 to 2023 was approximately 0.59% per year.If the trend from 2021-2023 continues, Bolivia could see a modest increase in solar capacity, reaching around 174 MW by 2024 and 175 MW by 2025.

• The average monthly salary of a photovoltaic installer in Bolivia is 772.31 USD. ¹³
• The average monthly salary of a photovoltaic Engineer in Bolivia is 1,280.50 USD. ^{14 15}

Bolivia’s population stood at 12,438,081 on August 24, 2024. ¹⁶

Estimate for Factory Rent: Average monthly rent for industrial properties is estimated to be 1.5 USD /m²/month. ¹⁷

Industrial Electricity Rates: The average cost of electricity for industry was 0.119 USD/kWh in 2022. ⁴

Water Costs: Not found

Key Components of Administrative Costs

Salaries and Wages:

• The average monthly salary of a photovoltaic installer in Bolivia is 772.31 USD. ¹³
• The average monthly salary of a photovoltaic Engineer in Bolivia is 1,280.50 USD. ^{14 15}

Rent for Office Space: The average monthly rent for industrial properties is estimated to be 8.8 USD /m²/month. ¹⁷

Total installed electricity generation capacity: 4138 MW.

Total generation: 11,216.4  GWh.

Total consumption: 10565 GWh. ¹⁸

Per capita consumption: 874.6 kWh. ¹⁸

Generation mix:

In 2022, Bolivia’s total installed capacity was 4,138 MW. Natural gas was the largest contributor with 2,791.2 MW, accounting for 67.45% of the total. Large hydro followed with 468.6 MW (11.32%), and small hydro added 290 MW (7.01%). Solar PV contributed 170 MW (4.11%), biomass & waste provided 178.5 MW (4.31%), wind added 135 MW (3.26%), and oil & diesel accounted for 104.7 MW (2.53%)

Leading players ¹⁹

The Bolivian electricity sector comprises three systems: the National Interconnected System (SIN), off-grid systems, and auto-producers. SIN represents around 90 % of the total electricity demand.

SIN is made up of 12 generating companies, 4 transmitters and 10 major distributors in addition to unregulated consumers, which are 5 and several minor distribution companies.

The three companies with the greatest installed capacity are ENDE Andina, ENDE Guaracachi and ENDE Vallehermoso. ²⁰

Transmission & Distribution

Transmission and distribution of electricity is operated by four companies:²⁰

• ENDE TRANMISION S.A
• ISA BOLIVIA
• ENDE
• SAN CRISTOBAL TESA

Electricity transmission lines extend to 6,825.9 km of high voltage (69KV, 115KV and 230KV) lines. (September 2022)

Major power plants

Thermal Power Plants:

The major thermal power plants in Bolivia are the following:

Guaracachi Combined Cycle Power Plant ²¹

• Production Capacity: 420 MW
• Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• Technology: Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT)
• Operator: Empresa Eléctrica Guaracachi S.A. (ENDE Guaracachi)

Del Sur power statio ²²

• Production Capacity: 508 MW
• Location: Yaguacua, Yacuíba, Bolivia.
• Technology: Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT)

Warnes Power Station (Termoeléctrica de Warnes ²³

• Capacity: At least 529 MW
• Location: Warnes, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Entre Ríos Power Station (Termoeléctrica de Entre Ríos ²⁴

• Capacity: At least 409 MW
• Location: Entre Ríos, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Other Renewable Energy sources

The country targets 79% of renewables in the power mix by 2030. ¹⁹

Wind Power Plants

The top 4 wind farms in Bolivia are the following:

El Dorado Wind Farm: ²⁵

• Capacity: 54 MW
• Location: Santa Cruz
• Details: Inaugurated on November 5, 2021, it is the largest wind farm in Bolivia. It features 30 Vestas V163-3.45 turbines and Plans are underway to expand its capacity by an additional 54 MW

San Julián Wind Farm: ²⁶

• Capacity: 39.6 MW
• Location: San Julian

Qollpana I and II ^{27 28}

• Capacity: 3 MW and 24 MW
• Location: Qollpana

Warnes Wind Farm: ²⁹

• Capacity: 14 MW
• Details: Also inaugurated in September 2021
• Location: Warners

Hydropower Plants:

Major hydropower plants are following:

San José Cora Power Plant: ³⁰

• Name of the Plant: San José Cora
• Capacity: 124 MW
• Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia
• Commissioned In:2018

Misicuni ³¹

• Capacity: 120 MW
• Location: Misicuni river/basin, Cochabamba, Bolivia
• Commissioned In: 2017

Santa Isabel Corani Hydroelectric Power Plant ³²

• Capacity: 2 MW
• Location: Corani river/basin, Cochabamba, Bolivia
• Commissioned In: 1973

La Paz Run-of-River Hydroelectric Power Plant ³³

• Name of the Plant: La Paz Run-of-River Hydroelectric Power Plant
• Capacity: 91 MW
• Location: Tequesi & Unduavi river/basin, Bolivia
• Commissioned In: 1998

Bio Power

Some important power plants operating on bio fuel are following:

Guabira Biomass Power Plant ³⁴

• Capacity: 42 MW
• Fuel: Sugarcane bagasse
• Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• Operational Status: The plant began commercial operations in 2007.

 Unagro Biomass Power Plant ³⁵

• Capacity: 30 MW
• Fuel: Sugarcane bagasse
• Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• Operational Status: The plant began commercial operations in 2014.

Certifications: ³⁶

• Standards Compliance: TÜV Rheinland certifies PV modules according to IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, ensuring quality and performance.
• Testing Services: Includes laboratory tests, factory inspections, and issuance of TÜV Rheinland test marks and certificates of conformity.

Quality Assurance Measures

• Degradation Testing: Assesses PID, LID, and LeTID effects.
• Durability Tests: Conducts fire, corrosion, and long-term outdoor tests.

Added Value Services

• Energy Yield Testing: Evaluates energy output under real climate conditions.
• BIPV Qualification: Assesses building-integrated PV systems for compliance and safety.

Incentives and Tax Benefits: ³⁷

Bolivia has implemented two tax incentives for renewable energy technologies through Laws 3279 and 3152. These laws provide tax relief on the Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duties specifically in the Beni and Pando regions of the country.

NET metering: ³⁸

Bolivia has implemented a net metering scheme for renewable energy through Supreme Decree 4477.

Oruro Solar Park ³⁹

• Capacity: 100 MW
• Location: Ancotanga, Oruro
• Description: It has 300,000 solar panels spread across 214 hectares, was developed in two phases and completed in 2021.

Uyuni Solar Park ⁴⁰

• Capacity: 60 MW
• Location: Uyuni, Potosí
• Description: Inaugurated in September 2018, spread over 105 hectares, generating electricity using 196,952 modules. Developed by Elecnor and Emias, it is now owned by Empresa Electrica Guaracachi.

Cobija Solar Plant in Bolivia ⁴¹

• Capacity: 5 MW
• Location: Cobija, Pando
• Description: Consists of over 17,300 solar panels of 300 W each, distributed across 11 hectares.

Yunchará Solar Park bz ⁴²

• Capacity: 5 MW
• Location: Yunchará, Tarija
• Description: Operated by Ende Guaracachi.

Projected Solar Projects:

Viru Viru Solar Project ⁴³

• Capacity: 20 MW
• Location: Santa Cruz
• Description: This project is currently in the bidding phase, with plans to begin operations in 2025. It is being developed by state owned company Ende Guaracachi.

Contorno Bajo Solar PV Park, Bolivia ^{44 45}

• Power Plant Name: Contorno Bajo Solar PV Park
• Capacity: 40 MW
• Location: La Paz, Bolivia
• Description: The solar park will consist of 71,442 modules, each with a nameplate capacity of 540W, encompassing are of 35 hectares, with construction expected to begin in 2024 and operations starting in 2025.

ENDE (Empresa Nacional de Electricidad) ⁴⁶

ENDE is Bolivia’s national electricity company and a major player in the country’s solar energy sector. It operates significant solar projects such as the Oruro Solar Plant, which has a capacity of 100 MW.

Electrificación y Servicios Energéticos de Cochabamba (ELFEC) ⁴⁷

ELFEC, based in Cochabamba, is a key regional utility company involved in various renewable energy projects, including solar energy. They focus on the distribution of electricity and are gradually increasing their investment in solar power to diversify their energy portfolio.

Enersol: ¹¹

Enersol S.A. is a Bolivian company specializing in photovoltaic solar energy, established in 1986. With over 9.5 MW installed across more than 20,000 projects nationwide, it has become a leader in the renewable energy sector.

STSolar: ⁴⁸

STSolar, a company specializing in solar energy solutions, has achieved significant milestones. With over 12,000 satisfied customers and 250 completed projects, they have earned 12 recognitions in their 15 years of service.

Energética: ⁴⁹

Energética is a non-profit organization that works on sustainable energy projects, including solar power, in Bolivia. They focus on promoting renewable energy through community-based projects, providing training, and implementing solar energy solutions in rural and underserved areas.

Beside these companies’ other companies like Solaris Energía in La Paz, Lumina Solar in Santa Cruz, SolTech Bolivia in Cochabamba, and EcoSolar in Tarija. These companies specialize in solar services and products, from manufacturing panels to providing eco-friendly energy solutions. ⁵⁰