Analysis

Clean Power in Latin America

As Latin America moves towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fulfilling its Paris commitments, it must also work to meet rapidly growing electricity demand, which is projected to almost double by 2040.

Zuleyma Alvarez, Sergio Espinosa

Event Summaries ˙

The Energy Solution Latin America Needs

If the region increases renewables to 80% of the electricity matrix and expands integration, countries can save billions of dollars in investments, avoid blackouts and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, argue Lisa Viscidi and Ariel Yépez.

Lisa Viscidi, Rigoberto Ariel Yépez-García

Articles & Op-Eds ˙ ˙ The New York Times

Can Mexico Run on Clean Energy?

President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador can capitalize on Mexico’s enormous renewable energy potential and make Mexico a leader in the fight against climate change. Although his platform offers some promising proposals, he will have to maneuver through several major obstacles.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham

Articles & Op-Eds ˙ ˙ The New York Times

Clean Energy Auctions in Latin America

Long-term power supply auctions are an increasingly popular instrument worldwide for attracting renewable energy investment while cutting prices, increasing energy security, and reducing emissions. Latin America has been at the forefront of using auctions to boost renewable energy capacity. This study analyzes design and outcomes of government-led long-term power auctions with participation from non-conventional renewable sources in six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Jamaica) since 2015.

Lisa Viscidi, Ariel Yépez-García

Reports ˙ ˙ Inter-American Development Bank

Political Risk Analysis: What’s Ahead For Mexico’s Renewable Energy Industry?

Until recently Mexico stood out within Latin America as a top potential producer of wind and solar energy, but policies under the López Obrador administration have made the climate for renewable energy investment increasingly hostile. Lisa Viscidi, director of the Energy Program, and Sarah Phillips, program assistant, sat down with Nathaniel Parish Flannery of Forbes to discuss what’s ahead for Mexico’s renewable resource sector.

Lisa Viscidi, Sarah Phillips, Nathaniel Parish Flannery

Interviews ˙ ˙ Forbes

Report Cover for Power Grab: What Mexico's State-Centered Electricity Policy Means for Trade, Climate, and the Economy cover

Power Grab: What Mexico’s State-Centered Electricity Policy Means for Trade, Climate, and the Economy

Over the past two years, the government of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has sought to strip away central aspects of the 2013 energy reform that increased private investment in the power sector and return control of the sector to state utility CFE. These moves will reduce needed investment in the sector and lead to higher electricity costs for Mexican industry and manufacturing, affecting employment, trade, and Mexico’s ability to meet its clean energy targets, according to this new report by the Inter-American Dialogue.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham, Sarah Phillips

Reports ˙ ˙ Download Report

A report cover featuring wind turbines, solar panels, and large battery cells

State of Charge: Energy Storage in Latin America and the Caribbean

Energy storage is a class of technologies that is diverse, complex, and rapidly evolving. Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean will need to acquire a strong grasp of the technical characteristics and benefits of these technologies, the services they can provide, and the most relevant regional and power market applications for each technology, according to this report authored by experts from the Inter-American Dialogue and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham, Ariel Yépez-García, Edwin Malagón

Reports ˙ ˙ Inter-American Development Bank

Picture of panelists

Prospects for Offshore Wind Energy in LAC

On September 9, 2022, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a webinar entitled “Offshore Wind Energy in LAC – Gauging Speed and Direction.”

MK Vereen, Daniela Stevens

Event Summaries ˙