Paraguay Warned Its Power Could Run Short by 2030 as It Chases Doubled Exports to the US
PARAGUAY · ECONOMY Key Facts —The warning: Industry leaders say Paraguay could face power shortages, even rolling blackouts, as soon as 2030. —The paradox: Paraguay uses only about 16 percent of the electricity it generates and exports the rest. —The ambition: The private sector now wants to double Paraguayan exports to the United States. —The […] The post Paraguay Warned Its Power Could Run…
Paraguay warns it could face power shortages by 2030 as it seeks to double its exports to the United States. The country, renowned for its large hydroelectric dams including Itaipú and Yacyretá, currently exports most of its electricity at below-market rates. Industry leaders highlight a looming shortage driven by strong demand growth, particularly from industries like cryptocurrency mining and data centers.
Paraguay's electricity consumption increased by 21% in the first four months of 2026 alone, with additional pressures from hotter summers and extreme weather events straining the grid. Although Paraguay boasts a majority of its electricity from renewables, a significant portion still comes from biomass and imported oil and gas. The private sector aims to double exports to the US, which reached $50.7 million in June 2026, up 13.1% YoY.
To meet this goal and avoid the energy crunch, Paraguay would need substantial grid and generation investments, estimated at $11 billion by the mining and energy ministry. However, the country's reliance on treaty-based exports and the time required for grid upgrades pose significant challenges to meeting this ambitious target.
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