The Latin American region is ideal for the implementation of environmental projects due to the abundance of green energy sources such as sun, water, geothermal energy, wind, and biomass. To explore and develop this potential will help Latin America satisfy its growing energy demand. In order to exploit the full ecologic potential of the continent, it is necessary to understand the current state of environmental policies in Latin America. Hence, the KAS supports this study, organized in cooperation with our partner the Electricity Sector Study Group (GESEL, in its Portuguese acronym) of the Institute of Economics of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IE/UFRJ), aiming to facilitate the access to information. A better understanding of the peculiarities of the Integration and Electrical Security in Latin America opens up a whole new range of opportunities for cooperation and exchange of best practices. Within the framework of this project, an international seminar was organized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in which energy experts met with politicians and businessmen from different countries to exchange experiences and opinions.
It is our understanding that a paradox lies behind the energy crisis the world is currently undergoing. On the one hand, greater energy supplies are required to ensure continuous economic growth and social development on a global scale; yet, on the other hand, it is imperative to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases so as to mitigate their impact on global warming. Overcoming this dilemma requires a new global energy model, which in turn calls for a new emphasis on greater use of renewable and non-polluting energy sources. This will be a drawn out and costly process requiring all countries to acknowledge their profound interdependence. Such a collective commitment will ensure the necessary financial resources to bring on stream the required projects. Even more important, this new understanding will enable the synergy required for meaningful scientific exchange and research on energy policies and planning in line with this new paradigm.
We hope that this report aids the process of further increasing electrical integration in the region, based on renewable sources. It is believed that this is a strategy that will bring security for the transition to a low-carbon energy mix, allowing mitigating climate change while promoting sustainable social and economic development. The main goal is to offer subsidies and proposals for the authorities responsible for energy policy and for the members of the legislative branch to formulate and implement public policies for the integration and electrical security in Latin America. We would like to thank GESEL for the partnership in the composition of this document, as well as all the researchers and authors who contributed to this publication.
The file is available for free download. We wish you all a pleasant reading!
