As part of the IX Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held on April 8 and 9 in Honduras, the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) played a prominent role, reaffirming its commitment to regional energy integration as a key pillar for sustainable, sovereign, and equitable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
During his remarks at the Summit, OLACDE’s Executive Secretary, Andrés Rebolledo, emphasized that “there will be no successful global energy transitions without the contribution of Latin America and the Caribbean. We are, as they say, a solutions region.” He also recalled that in 2024, 70% of the region’s electricity came from renewable sources, though he stressed that solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential is still far from being fully harnessed.
Rebolledo outlined a roadmap for advancing effective energy integration, based on:
- Regulatory convergence, enabling the existing infrastructure to be used to its fullest potential.
- Overcoming bottlenecks that limit regional interconnection.
- Coordinated, long-term energy planning, with a forward-looking vision and a focus on building a genuine regional market.
He also announced that in 2025 OLACDE will convene a Diplomatic Conference to promote bilateral, plurilateral, and multilateral agreements on energy matters, thereby strengthening cooperation among the energy systems of member countries.
In parallel, at the 2nd International Forum on Integration and Solidarity, held as part of the Summit, Guido Maiulini, OLACDE’s Head of Strategic Advisory, took part in the panel “Strategies for Strengthening and Coordinating CELAC at the Regional Level.” In his remarks, he highlighted three fundamental pillars for the region’s energy integration:
- Regulatory convergence: harmonizing legal and regulatory frameworks to facilitate energy exchange.
- New infrastructure: promoting investments that connect systems and leverage complementarities.
- Coordinated energy planning: building shared visions to guide the energy transition and strengthen regional resilience.
The IX CELAC Summit, chaired by Honduras in its role as Pro Tempore Presidency, was centered on the adoption of the Declaration of Tegucigalpa, a key document that will shape the direction of regional policy and integration in the years ahead.
At the close of the event, Honduras handed over the Pro Tempore Presidency to the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, marking a new chapter in regional integration efforts.
At OLACDE, we reaffirm our commitment to building a fair, sustainable, and interconnected energy future for Latin America and the Caribbean.
