First Half Review: Latin America, Caribbean energy efficiency

BNamericas recently highlighted Latin America and the Caribbean's push to further incorporate energy efficiency.

A look at developments in the first half of 2017 reveals that the number of projects and programs continues to grow in the region, as authorities and stakeholders look to advance on this front.

In March, Argentina became the 17th member of the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC) and will head the organization in 2018. The country joined regional members Brazil and Mexico.

IPEEC points to Argentina's campaign to raise energy efficiency awareness that has reached 96.3% of households.

"Most of us do not know how difficult it is to produce electricity and how the simple act of turning a switch on can have enormous consequences thousands of kilometres away. Energy efficiency suffers from this lack of awareness, especially since consequences cannot be directly or easily measured," according to IPEEC.

One of the 10 pillars of the Argentine government's federal energy agreement unveiled in April covers energy saving and efficiency.

Mexico also has made important strides in the year date, with the energy ministry (Sener) and science and technology council Conacyt, in collaboration with the University of California, launching a program to fund energy efficiency projects.

In addition, Sener rolled out a new strategy to increase energy efficiency in the construction sector, creating a public policy framework that aims to reduce energy consumption by 35% by 2020.

In Colombia, the mines and energy ministry adopted an action plan for rational and efficient energy that envisions increased participation of energy service companies and the creation of energy efficiency certificates and additional incentives, among other measures.

Ecuador's government and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, meanwhile, signed a loan agreement for up to US$50mn to support energy efficiency.

And as 1H17 comes to a close, Nicaragua's national assembly approved an energy efficiency bill introduced by the executive.

The energy and mines ministry will oversee the law that includes the creation of an energy efficiency fund and introducing the concept in the education system to help with a cultural change.

The Inter-American Investment Corporation signed a US$3mn loan to help Bahamas' Arawak Port Development finance the installation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic system and replace the port's terminal lights with LED, along with other energy efficiency measures.

For his part, Panama's energy secretary Víctor Carlos Urrutia announced that starting in Novermber all new construction projects will have to present to the respective municipalities minimum efficiency standards.