The inequality of electricity consumption in Colombia. Projections and implications

The inequality in electricity consumption (EC) in Colombia is assessed based on the per capita electricity consumption (ECpc) and the Gini coefficient. The ECpc was defined with the total electricity consumption and population for each department and rural and urban areas. Furthermore, the national ECpc was assessed according to the Colombian socioeconomic stratum defined by income levels. The results showed significant asymmetries in the ECpc between departments, urban and rural populations, and socioeconomic strata. The national Gini coefficient of EC and the GDP is higher than 0.5, indicating significant inequities countrywide. These results stress the need to complement the current policies more focused on achieving full access to electricity and less oriented to address the need for higher EC in households to improve welfare for the low-income and rural citizens. However, governmental projections for 2030 forecast minor improvements in this direction.