The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), through its Executive Secretary, Andrés Rebolledo, took part in the II Business Forum of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulatory Entities (ARIAE), held in San José, Costa Rica. The event brought together 180 representatives of the energy sector, including regulatory authorities, business leaders, and international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), and the Regional Energy Integration Commission (CIER).
The forum was hosted locally by the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), as an active member of ARIAE, with Costa Rica standing out as the host country for its progress in renewable-source generation, which exceeds 90%, through the use of hydro, solar, and wind resources.
The event addressed topics such as the future of renewable energy, emerging technologies, energy efficiency, energy justice, and cybersecurity, with the goal of accelerating the energy transition toward decarbonization in the region.
In his remarks, OLACDE’s Executive Secretary, Andrés Rebolledo, emphasized that “energy regulation today is more strategic than ever for advancing toward a fair, secure, and inclusive energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. Modern regulation is needed that, in addition to ensuring fair rates and quality of service, promotes innovation, attracts sustainable investment, and facilitates regional energy integration.”
Rebolledo also outlined some of the region’s current challenges, such as gaps in energy access, a 3% curtailment rate, low utilization of electrical interconnections (25%), and rising demand driven by transport electrification, data centers, and green hydrogen. In this regard, he called for establishing flexible regulatory frameworks and a coordinated regional vision.
As part of the event, the head of OLACDE held a bilateral meeting with Franz Tattenbach, Costa Rica’s Minister of Environment and Energy, along with Deputy Ministers Ronny Rodríguez and Carlos Pérez Mejía, in which the country’s commitment to a sustainable energy transition was highlighted.
OLACDE reaffirms its willingness to provide technical and institutional support to Costa Rica, a country that has positioned itself as a regional benchmark in clean energy, renewable electrification, and energy efficiency. This dialogue strengthens the Organization’s mission to promote public policy, energy planning, and regional cooperation that drive energy security and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
