I know this sounds a bit stupid but how do you get electricity on Tropico? I've built power plants/stations and stuff but all the buildings are still red. Any help?

You need engineers for it.

College graduated females become engineers, or pay for them to come (a bit more expensive, but can be done) since your people have free will you will possibly get them to go there if you have them really good paying jobs. Women jobs are few so definitely make them when possible... only power the air port and I think the paper and a few other places employee them, most uneducated and all the factories are both.