Energy Week: meet the keynote speakers who will present on innovation, energy transitions and the current global scenario

Authorities and industry leaders to share views on hot topics such as green hydrogen, financing, energy security and regional opportunities.

The VII Energy Week, the flagship event of the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, will be held December 12-16 in Panama City, organized by The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), the National Energy Secretariat of Panama and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the collaboration of EnergyNet.

This is one of the main instances of political and strategic dialogue on energy issues at the regional level, since it brings together the Ministers of Energy of the 27 OLACDE Member Countries. In addition to the space for exchange among authorities, leaders, academics and company representatives, there will be presentations on opportunities and trends in the region, as well as the impact of the international context.

“This year we are focusing a lot on the aspects of the global energy sector situation that are affecting us in terms of the supply crisis and the resulting inflationary processes, as well as the impact on climate actions. Energy Week is also a platform to show the rest of the world the strengths of our region,” said OLACDE’s executive secretary, Alfonso Blanco.

The themes will focus on innovation, sustainable energy development, gender, energy security and integration. They will be addressed through presentations, panels of industry leaders, interactive and collaborative boardroom-style discussions, and workshops organized by various organizations.

There will be the opportunity to listen to speakers of the stature of the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), Joseph McMonigle, the Head of the Energy Division of the IDB, Marcelino Madrigal, the Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francisco La Camera, the National Secretary of Energy of Panama, Jorge Rivera, the Deputy National Secretary of Energy of Panama, Rosilena Lindo, the Executive Secretary of OLACDE, Alfonso Blanco, and the President of the Brazilian Wind Energy Association (Abeeolica), Elbia Gannoum. Also confirmed are the Sector Manager of the Infrastructure and Energy Sector of the IDB, Ariel Yepez, and the Senior Adviser at the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Senior Fellow at Yale University, Paul Simons.

The opening panel will include the participation of the Secretary of Energy of the host country, IDB representative Rocio Medina Bolivar and Columbia University professor Jason Bordoff. They will discuss support for equitable energy transitions, key regional projects, investments and energy security.

Hydrogen, storage, mobility and much more

Green hydrogen projects in Latin America will be discussed in a special boardroom that will address how to leverage the region’s advantages, funding possibilities and lessons learned from pilot projects. The panelists will be IDB Senior Energy Specialist Michelle Hallack, Ecopetrol CEO Felipe Bayon, UN Environment Program Electro Mobility Leader Jone Orbea, and World Bank Senior Energy Specialist Janina Franco.

Another boardroom will be dedicated to new energy storage technologies. Topics such as the role of cobalt, lithium and rare earths; storage in concentrating solar thermal power plants, through renewables and green hydrogen will be addressed. The exchange will take place with Edwin Malagón, IDB Regional Energy Specialist, the consultant Pablo Corredor, the representative of the Sustainable Energy Division, Ministry of Energy of Chile, Danilo Jara, the Project Development Manager of Canadian Solar, Daniel Chaves, and the Sales Manager Battery Energy Storage of BASF, Mayeana Kamara.

There will also be an opportunity to discuss the infrastructure and investments needed to scale up e-mobility in the region. There, initiatives on the use of biofuels for mass transportation will be analyzed.

The discussion on gender equality will delve into existing barriers and promote a mechanism to ensure the inclusion of this perspective and that gender analysis, actions, monitoring and evaluation are linked. In this instance will exchange views the National Undersecretary of Energy of Panama, Rosilena Lindo,  the Regional Director of Corporate Relations for the Americas of Shell, Barbara Blakely, the senior energy specialist of the IDB, Virginia Snyder, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Central America Energy Program Coordinator,  Juquois Fabrice, Project Manager V-Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),  Sadie Cox,  Energy Sector Director, Tetra Tech, Jairo Guterrez, andEDGE Expert & Auditor & Trainer, Mitsidi,  Rosane Fukuoka.

In addition, boardrooms will be held on fair energy transitions, grid planning with variable renewable energy, trends and innovation in solar technology, implementation of off-shore wind projects, information and communication technologies in the energy sector, the role of local governments in the energy transition, and electricity integration initiatives, among others.

!Sign up and don’t miss out on this important meeting!

https://semanadelaenergia.OLACDE.org/registro-vii-semana-la-energia/

Access the complete agenda and list of speakers at:

https://semanadelaenergia.OLACDE.org/

We invite you to follow our social networks:

Latin American Energy Organization @OLACDEORG.

#semanaenergia2022

Press contact 2022 Energy Week: gabriela.jarrin@OLACDE.org

Organizing committee: pablo.garces@OLACDE.org

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Energy Week: meet the keynote speakers who will present on innovation, energy transitions and the current global scenario

Newsletter summary

The VII Energy Week, the flagship event of the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, will be held December 12-16 in Panama City, organized by The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), the National Energy Secretariat of Panama and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the collaboration of EnergyNet.

Capacity building & knowledge

We advance high-level technical training programs that foster experience-sharing and develop the human and institutional capacities required to drive energy transformations across our region.

Our academic programs offer executive courses, postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and innovative initiatives focused on key areas such as the energy transition, conventional and renewable energy, electromobility, and regional integration.

OLACDE builds a regional network of energy expertise, connecting governments, young professionals, academics, and industry experts to foster collaborative solutions through technical cooperation and talent development to address future energy and climate challenges.

Technical cooperation & climate finance

We strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation as key drivers to accelerate energy transitions across Latin America and the Caribbean. OLACDE unites efforts among governments, multilateral organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector to mobilize financing, technical expertise, and innovative solutions tailored to our regional context.

We advance strategic initiatives aimed at directing resources toward decarbonization, conventional energy, renewables, and energy justice projects—building a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable regional cooperation architecture.

Regional energy community

We are building a regional energy community with a global outlook, positioning Latin America and the Caribbean as a pivotal player on the international stage. OLACDE amplifies regional representation in key multilateral energy, trade, and climate forums by fostering strategic alliances and international cooperation.

Through flagship events such as Energy Week and new spaces for high-level dialogue, we champion a collective voice that attracts investment, drives technical partnerships, and unlocks sustainable development opportunities across our region

Energy transition & strategic projects

We foster a regional energy transition built on sustainability, energy security, and social inclusion. OLACDE supports Member Countries in adopting emerging technologies—such as energy efficiency, storage solutions, green hydrogen, electromobility, and grid digitalization—to accelerate the sector’s decarbonization.

Our approach promotes strategic projects that strengthen energy resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean, reducing emissions while building a cleaner, more competitive energy infrastructure. Key regional initiatives, including OEMLAC, position our region as a benchmark for climate innovation and sustainable energy development.

Energy information and data

We develop regional platforms dedicated to energy intelligence, technical analysis, and strategic data systems that empower both public and private decision-making across the sector. OLACDE drives digital transformation in energy by leveraging artificial intelligence, georeferencing, and advanced analytical tools to map regional energy trends.

The integration of systems such as SieLAC, along with new regional digital platforms, consolidates reliable, up-to-date technical data—enabling modern, interoperable, and evidence-based energy planning.

Regional energy integration

We foster cooperation across the regional energy sector by prioritizing infrastructure development, cross-border collaboration, and regulatory alignment to enhance energy security in Latin America and the Caribbean. OLACDE coordinates strategic projects in power grid interconnections, natural gas integration, and joint energy planning to build resilient, sustainable partnerships.

Working alongside the governments of our 27 Member States, regional blocs, multilateral institutions, and key public and private stakeholders, we drive initiatives that introduce innovative energy exchange mechanisms, strengthen national capacities, and accelerate a unified regional energy transition.