At a Glance: Paraguay’s 2050 energy roadmap

Paraguay’s government has approved a 2050 energy policy that replaces the roadmap published in 2016 that had a projection to 2040.

“It is necessary to use national sources of energy, hydroelectricity, bioenergy and other alternative sources and encourage the production of hydrocarbons, as strategic resources to reduce external dependence and increase the generation of national added value,” according to the decree that greenlighted the latest policy.

It adds that “the process of consolidating Paraguay's position as the axis of regional energy integration must continue based on the sustainable use of its natural resources and its strategic geographical location.”

Deputy mines and energy minister Mauricio Bejarano highlighted that the new policy introduces “a more futuristic look,” such as the potential use of hydrogen.

To learn about some of the roadmap’s goals, BNamericas provides the following takeaways:

GENERAL OBJECTIVES 

• Guarantee a sustainable, robust and resilient energy supply aimed at the well-being of the entire population and productive development with priority in the use of the country's energy and mining resources
• Take advantage of the competitive advantages of the energy sector as a strategic element for socioeconomic growth, the energy transition, job creation and the country's insertion into the world
• Consolidate the country as the axis of regional energy integration
• Ensure access to affordable, safe and sustainable energy to meet the needs of the most vulnerable sectors of the country
• Enhance the role of the energy system consumer and other actors 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 

• Strengthen institutional coordination
• Promote public companies in the sector
• Strengthen public and private financing mechanisms for maintenance investments, modernization, expansion of infrastructure and technological development and innovation
• Systematize data management, information, documentation, planning and monitoring 

GOALS 

• Online digital platform for electricity tariffs
• New biomass regulatory framework
• Regulatory decree to promote the use of non-conventional renewable energy in civil construction and infrastructure works
• Incorporation of electric vehicles into the public sector fleet
• Solar resource and wind studies with maps and detailed information
• Promotion of private sector participation in renewable energy projects
• At least 500MW of solar plants, at least 50MW of small hydro and at least 5,520GWh/y of battery banks
• Regulations on safety in the production, transportation, storage, marketing and use of hydrogen
• New legal hydrocarbons framework to include unconventional resources
• Tendering and awarding of new upstream areas under new hydrocarbons framework
• Strategy for the association of national oil company Petropar with the private sector
• Biofuel admixture resolutions
• National natural gas development strategy
• Feasibility studies for a gas pipeline 

The 2050 energy policy is available in the Documents box in the top right corner.