OLADE presents study on the impact of climate change on the energy infrastructure of Latin America and the Caribbean

This Olade release was published using machine translation.

The Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Tecnalia Foundation, presents studies on the impact of climate change on regional energy infrastructure.

Although the region contributes only 8% of global CO2e emissions, its energy sector is highly sensitive to the effects of climate change.

The Study highlights the importance of increasing the resilience of the energy sector of Latin America and the Caribbean in the face of climate change, through the analysis of risks, the vulnerability of infrastructure, and the determination of the changes that must be implemented in planning and operation. of the systems.

The vulnerability and risk of energy infrastructure in the face of various climatic variables is analyzed; from changes in temperature to extreme events such as storms and strong winds. The results revealed that sensitivity and vulnerability vary depending on the type of technology and geographic location.

The conclusions of the Study highlight the importance of integrating climate risk assessment into the design and operation of energy facilities. Additionally, proposed adaptation measures are highlighted, such as the use of more heat-resistant technologies, land use management to reduce erosion, and the implementation of improved prediction systems for extreme weather events.

Regarding the impact on different technologies, some conclusions stand out:

1. For photovoltaic plants, if the temperature rises 1ºC, above a threshold of 25°C, energy production decreases by 0.66%.
2. For transmission lines , above a threshold of 20°C, if the temperature rises 1ºC, the energy transported falls by 0.4%.
3. In hydroelectric plants , if the flow decreases by 1%, energy production also falls by 1%.
4. In the transport of natural gas through gas pipelines, the increase in temperature can compromise the integrity of the pipelines, reduce transmission capacity and generate safety problems in the case of compression stations that are not suitable for high temperatures.
5. For agroenergy (biofuel) farms, changes in temperature could affect the productivity of the feedstock and the corresponding energy production, depending on the type of crop.

For all these reasons, it is essential to prioritize climate resilience in energy policies. Investment must be made in more robust and flexible infrastructure, as well as in the diversification of energy sources to reduce dependence on resources susceptible to climate fluctuations.

Finally, given that the regional energy matrix is highly dependent on direct sources such as hydropower, the report highlights the urgency of anticipating and mitigating climate risks to avoid possible energy crises and protect the sustainability and economic stability of the region in the coming decades. .

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