Information gap stymies Central America renewables - study

Additional resource assessments and making existing assessments public would help address knowledge, information and communication gaps to advance Central America's renewable energy efforts, according to a report from the Worldwatch Institute and INCAE Business School. An integrated and consistent energy strategy also requires integration of technical solutions; assessment and communication of the full socioeconomic impacts of different energy scenarios; and capacity building, according to The Way Forward for Renewable Energy in Central America. The study also makes recommendations to strengthen policies and enable investments. "Designing and implementing successful energy policies requires the integration of diverse development goals that are addressed by a wide range of government agencies." Other proposals call for evaluation of existing policy instruments and refining the policy mix; streamlining administrative processes; and establishing metrics to track progress, highlights the document, which will be available in Spanish next month.