“Latin America and the Caribbean is the region with the highest percentage of renewable energy in its electric grid, primarily driven by a strong penetration of hydroelectric generation. Although the potential of this source is still significant, there are growing difficulties in further incorporating it due to strong social and environmental considerations. Fortunately, the region has an even greater potential for other renewable sources, mainly wind and solar but also, in some countries, geothermal and biomass. The few countries that have managed to advance their incorporation have debunked two false paradigms that were circulating, and surprisingly continue to circulate, in the region: on the one hand, experience shows us that, today, in our region, if the appropriate conditions are generated, electricity produced through renewable energies is cheaper than that generated with any fossil or nuclear source; and on the other hand, regional experience also shows that, contrary to what was believed, the complementation of renewable sources allows for the operation of almost 100% renewable electric systems with more than 40% of non-manageable energy, without using more storage than provided by hydroelectric plants.”
This document analyzes the existing obstacles and paths to overcome them and proposes a practical guide for a just energy transition.
