Category Archives: Caribbean and Latin America

Caribbean and Latin America, Energy Transition, Events, Header_Posts

Geothermal, a Hot Topic in El Salvador

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Central American countries seek to bring geothermal to the forefront of future energy development plans

1,500 kilometres long, Central America’s volcanic arc consists of hundreds of volcanoes — from sky scrapping stratovolcanoes like Guatemala’s 4,202 metre Volcán Tajumulco, to crater lakes like El Salvador’s Ilopango — the very ground of this ocean-separating, continent-connecting, ribbon of land, moves.

The region’s unique geothermal activity is the result of what geologists call subduction: one tectonic plate, the Cocos Plate, moving under others, the Caribbean and North American plates, forcing earth, magma, and heat to the surface. While this does result in life-threatening earthquakes and volcanoes, the geothermal heat released provides a largely untapped energy that the region’s countries are now resolved to harness. Continue reading Geothermal, a Hot Topic in El Salvador →

Caribbean and Latin America, energy access, Events, Header_Posts

Renewable Energy Efforts Scaled-Up in Central America

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Home to over 40 million people and with an economy growing more than a 3 per cent per year, Central America is a region with rapidly increasing energy needs. The natural conditions and climate variability of the region make it vulnerable to natural disasters, and approximately 7 million people in the region still have limited or no access to basic electricity.

To help tackle Central America’s growing energy demand, diversify its energy mix, and ultimately reduce the region’s reliance on fossil fuels, IRENA and Central American countries are working together to implement identified renewable energy recommendations in the region. Continue reading Renewable Energy Efforts Scaled-Up in Central America →

Africa, Assembly 7, Caribbean and Latin America, energy access, Oceania

Ministers: ‘IRENA/ADFD Plays Key Role Advancing Renewables in Developing Countries’

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At IRENA’s seventh Assembly, held in Abu Dhabi in January 2017, renewable energy projects from the Marshall Islands, Niger, Seychelles and the Solomon Islands were selected to receive a total of USD 44.5 million in funding through the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility. The Facility is a unique partnership between the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), set up to identify and partially finance promising renewable energy projects in developing countries.

At the Assembly, energy ministers from the four selected countries explained how this partnership will bring about a positive change in their respective countries. Continue reading Ministers: ‘IRENA/ADFD Plays Key Role Advancing Renewables in Developing Countries’ →

Assembly 7, Caribbean and Latin America, Energy Transition, Oceania

Finding a Way to Transform Energy on Islands

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Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are on the frontlines of global climate change. Dependent on the ocean for their livelihoods, yet threatened by its rising and acidifying waters, this assemblage of the world’s lowest lying countries are some of the most outspoken and driven countries for decarbonisation and renewable energy.

Matching ambition with reality, however, is not simple, and SIDS need international support to accomplish their decarbonisation goals. But what does that support look like? What is needed to identify the best pathways for SIDS to achieve a renewable energy future and to establish the necessary frameworks for accessing financial support at the speed and scale required to transform their energy systems? Continue reading Finding a Way to Transform Energy on Islands →

Caribbean and Latin America, Energy Transition, Publications

Latin America’s Renewable Energy Market Analysis

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Covering the surface area of China and the USA combined and home to around 600 million people, Latin America is rich in resources. While its minerals, metals, and fossil fuels have traditionally drawn investment, energy security concerns, technological advances and the growing threat of climate change have now brought the region’s enormous renewable energy potential to the forefront.

A new IRENA report, Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Latin America, highlights Latin America’s success with renewables, the region’s emerging trends and valuable insights for other countries. Continue reading Latin America’s Renewable Energy Market Analysis →

Caribbean and Latin America

IRENA Director-General Meets Vice-President of Uruguay

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Uruguay is a global leader in renewables deployment, with more than 94% of the country’s electricity coming from renewables in 2015. The successful implementation of an enabling policy and regulatory framework helped drive this remarkable transition in just over a decade.

On 8 November 2016, HE Mr. Raul Sendic, Vice-President of Uruguay, visited IRENA’s headquarters to show his support for the Agency and engage with IRENA’s Director-General, Adnan Z. Amin. Continue reading IRENA Director-General Meets Vice-President of Uruguay →

Caribbean and Latin America, POSTS, Publications

Dominican Republic’s Roadmap to a Renewable Future

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Creating a sustainable future is the responsibility of all countries, and that includes allocating a greater share of the world’s energy mix to renewables. A new IRENA report, Renewable Energy Prospects: Dominican Republic, finds the Dominican Republic could by 2030 increase its share of modern renewable energy from 9 to 27%, and its share of renewable electricity generation from 12 to 44%, by adopting a series of recommendations.

Situated on the tropical island of Hispaniola, in the heart of Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s shining sun and gentle winds, provides its 10 million inhabitants with rich opportunities for renewable energy generation. Continue reading Dominican Republic’s Roadmap to a Renewable Future →