Peru has over 93 GW of technical potential among hydroelectric, wind and geothermal resources , a scale that opens up room to significantly expand and diversify its electricity matrix in the coming years.
The diagnosis was presented by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), through the General Directorate of Electricity (DGE), in the report “Perspectives and investment opportunities in electricity” , which put numbers to the availability of resources and, at the same time, exposed the gap between that potential and its effective use.
The greatest opportunity lies in hydroelectricity. Peru has approximately 70,000 MW of potential , of which only 8% is currently being utilized and another 4% corresponds to projects under development.
Wind power presents a similar scenario. The technical resource amounts to 20,493 MW , mainly concentrated on the coast, but only around 5% is currently in operation and another 3% is associated with projects under development.
This means that more than 90% of the identified potential for this technology is still not operational.
The third major resource quantified by MINEM is geothermal energy. The country has approximately 2,860 MW , located mainly in the south, although it currently has no geothermal projects under development.
These figures are in addition to solar power, for which the report does not establish a total equivalent technical capacity in MW in the information released, but it does highlight the radiation conditions existing in different regions of the territory.
According to MINEM, Peru has levels that position it favorably compared to markets with strong photovoltaic expansion such as the United States, Brazil, Spain and Germany .
The challenge, therefore, is not only in having the resource available, but in converting it into built power plants, capacity connected to the grid and new supply capable of keeping up with the growth in electricity demand.
The ministry believes that the gradual reduction of technological costs and the evolution of renewable solutions can improve the conditions for mobilizing new investments.
In parallel, PROINVERSIÓN began to deepen the dialogue with Brazilian companies to present opportunities in renewable generation, transmission and infrastructure linked to the Peruvian electrical system.
The Private Investment Promotion Agency held a meeting with the Brazil-Peru Chamber of Commerce (CAMBRAPER) and a business delegation specializing in energy, with the aim of bringing projects closer together and exploring new technological solutions.
Brazil appears as a potential partner due to its experience in solar, wind and hydroelectric power generation , while Peru seeks to transfer that knowledge to local initiatives through private investment, innovation and partnerships with companies in the sector.
PROINVERSIÓN also presented its role in structuring projects under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and Asset Projects , from the initial identification of opportunities to their promotion to investors.
The country already has experience using this scheme in electrical infrastructure. The agency reported that it has awarded 55 transmission lines , intended to strengthen the reliability of the supply, reduce losses, and improve energy transfer between different regions.
Over $7 billion in projects seeking capital
The search for new investors is not limited to renewable energy generation.
PROINVERSIÓN presented a portfolio of seven electricity and irrigation projects worth over USD 7 billion , within a broader infrastructure portfolio.
The energy component includes Groups 2 and 3 of the 2025-2034 Transmission Plan and the Las Joyas Photovoltaic Power Plant , while the rest of the portfolio includes irrigation projects such as the new Olmos concession, the third stage of Chavimochic, Chinecas and Majes Siguas II.
The strategy seeks to combine the development of next-generation power with the necessary networks to evacuate it, an aspect that is especially relevant if Peru intends to convert a greater proportion of its renewable resources into operational capacity.
During the talks with Brazilian businesspeople, the Special Regime for Early Recovery of VAT was also presented, a mechanism aimed at improving liquidity and facilitating the financing of new investment projects.
For PROINVERSIÓN, these meetings serve as a first step to convert international interest into concrete assets and deepen regional economic and energy integration.
The opportunity presented by the MINEM figures is considerable. Between hydroelectricity, wind, and geothermal power, Peru has over 93 GW of technical potential , while solar power adds another resource not yet quantified in the published information.
But much of that potential remains undeveloped. In wind power, only 5% is being utilized; in hydroelectricity, 8%; and in geothermal, there are still no projects underway.