The Conference that took place in Antigua Guatemala and in hybrid format, was organized by the Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT). The objectives of this conference were: Promote a meeting space and experiences between networks and organizations that work on energy and environmental issues in the Latin American region and identify areas of reinforcement that countries have based on the training offer presented, in addition to disseminating the programming of Intercoonecta activities promoted by the CIEMAT on energy efficiency, the environment and climate change. This is how ECLAC, through the Natural Resources Division, presented a presentation (virtual participation) on the work carried out by the Water and Energy Unit, in the session called: Identification of areas of action in LAC in Energy, Environment Environment and Climate Change.
Mrs. Rayén Quiroga, Head of the Water and Energy Unit, presented the paper: Fair and sustainable energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this regard, he explained the situation and main challenges of the energy matrix in LAC, noting that in the region 16.1 million people do not have access to electricity and 77 million do not have access to clean cooking systems (they use firewood and charcoal). , which has as a consequence not only air pollution but also affects people’s health (especially women and children). On the other hand, she highlighted that the quintile 1 (most vulnerable) has an average of 9 times less access to electricity than the one with the highest income, almost doubling this gap in the rural population of the region. All these aspects are amplified due to the cascading impacts of the crisis that increase regional energy vulnerability.
At the same time, Mrs. Quiroga explained the conformation of the energy matrix, which is still predominantly fossil (67%), with the main final consumers being: transportation (36%), based on fossils, industries (29%) and residential (18%). Despite the reduction in renewable energy costs, she pointed out that they represent only 33% of the supply by 2021. In addition, she stressed that electricity generation in LAC is 59% renewable, a much higher percentage than in other regions.
In this context, Ms. Quiroga presented ECLAC’s proposal for a sustainable and inclusive energy transition for LAC countries, which is based on five pillars and is understood as a process of sustainable transformation of the energy system that requires a new ecosystem. of governance, directed investments and modern regulatory frameworks and adaptation of institutions, through public policies and programs with roadmaps: 1. Increase renewable energy in the matrix; 2. Universalize access to electricity based on renewables and reduce energy poverty; 3. Increase energy efficiency in all sectors of economic activity, residential and buildings; 4. Strengthen complementarity, integration and interconnection between the region’s energy systems and 5. Increase regional energy security and resilience to external shocks.
In the same way, he emphasized the eight public policies to accelerate the regional energy transition, of which the following stand out: the investment drive (1.3% of annual GDP for 10 years, which would create 7 million new jobs and reduce GHG emissions in 31.5%); a new ecosystem of governance, participation and public-private and community cooperation; the development of renewable energy value chains (solar, wind and H2V); among other. Finally, Ms. Quiroga highlighted the initiatives and publications promoted by ECLAC in the energy field, among which the Regional Technical Forum of Energy Planners and the Regional Observatory of Sustainable Energy stand out.
