popular articles

Latin America, future world leader in renewable energy?

Latin America is taking a step toward a more sustainable future with ambitious plans to increase its renewable energy production. Although challenges remain, the region has tremendous potential to become a world leader in renewable energy.

Please share:

Latin America is emerging as a major renewable energy producer, with plans to install nearly one billion solar panels in the next seven years, according to a report released by the Global Energy Monitor (GEM). By 2030, the continent is expected to launch solar and wind power projects providing more than 319 GW of renewable energy, or nearly 70% of its current electricity capacity from all sources.

A huge potential

Latin America has enormous potential to become a world leader in renewable energy, thanks to its abundant wind and solar energy resources. The new clean energy projects would increase the region’s current wind and solar capacity by more than 460%. While not all of the announced projects will come to fruition, the region is still experiencing strong momentum and new projects will likely be announced in the coming years, experts say.

Brazil on the front line

As the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil is the main driver of the renewable energy race, with 27 GW of solar and wind generation already in operation and a forecast of an additional 217 GW by 2030. Since January 2023, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made strong commitments to clean energy and the fight against climate change, following four years in office of climate skeptic Jair Bolsonaro.

Examples to follow

Chile, a traditional importer of fossil fuels, is also making a rapid transition to renewable energy. Solar and wind power now account for 37% of installed electrical capacity. Colombia has planned an additional 37 GW of solar and wind generation capacity by 2030.

Mexico in trouble

Mexico, the second largest economy in the region, is in trouble. Despite being an early convert to renewable energy, the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, an advocate of fossil fuels, has recently passed reforms that have given a second wind to the state-owned oil company Pemex. According to the GEM report, even if all of Mexico’s green energy projects were to succeed, the country would only be 70% of the way to fulfilling its promise to reach 40 GW of solar and wind capacity by 2030.

Opportunities for offshore wind turbines and green hydrogen

Latin America also has promising potential in offshore wind. Exports of green energy could also be a boon, either by selling surplus to other countries or by exporting green hydrogen. The rapid development of green energy has been helped by the falling prices of solar panels and wind turbines, as well as the rising cost of fossil fuels due to the crisis in Ukraine.

Although the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that renewables will surpass fossil fuels in terms of electricity generated as early as 2025, it must be even faster to meet the goals of the Paris Agreements and limit temperature rise. Energy-consuming countries such as North America, Europe and China must follow Latin America’s lead to do their part in sustainable development.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

France proposes a stronger alliance between the European Union and China to counter the absence of the United States in the fight against climate change, with a summit scheduled for July 2025.
Hydro-Québec announces a 10 G$ investment to enhance energy efficiency through various initiatives by 2035, creating over 5,000 jobs and reducing operating costs for Quebec customers.
Hydro-Québec announces a 10 G$ investment to enhance energy efficiency through various initiatives by 2035, creating over 5,000 jobs and reducing operating costs for Quebec customers.
The UK government and Italian energy company Eni have announced the financial closing of a project aimed at burying millions of tonnes of CO2 in the Irish Sea, an ambitious initiative to reduce industrial emissions.
The UK government and Italian energy company Eni have announced the financial closing of a project aimed at burying millions of tonnes of CO2 in the Irish Sea, an ambitious initiative to reduce industrial emissions.
The United States strongly criticised anti-fossil fuel policies at the International Energy Agency (IEA) summit, highlighting their dangers to global energy security.
The United States strongly criticised anti-fossil fuel policies at the International Energy Agency (IEA) summit, highlighting their dangers to global energy security.
Countries such as Brazil and Australia are criticised for overstating the CO2 absorption capacity of their forests, a practice that undermines their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by Climate Analytics.
In London, global officials gather to discuss energy security amid rising geopolitical tensions. Disagreements persist on the role of renewable energy in meeting global demand.
In London, global officials gather to discuss energy security amid rising geopolitical tensions. Disagreements persist on the role of renewable energy in meeting global demand.
As a parliamentary debate approaches, twenty energy organizations urge lawmakers to act to reduce France's reliance on fossil fuels by accelerating the electrification of uses.
As a parliamentary debate approaches, twenty energy organizations urge lawmakers to act to reduce France's reliance on fossil fuels by accelerating the electrification of uses.
Nigeria aims to increase its electricity production capacity by 4,000 MW by 2026 to meet the growing demand of the industrial sector, in a context of reforms and partnerships with international players.
Nigeria aims to increase its electricity production capacity by 4,000 MW by 2026 to meet the growing demand of the industrial sector, in a context of reforms and partnerships with international players.
EDF’s outgoing CEO, Luc Rémont, claims French electricity will be more competitive than that of the United States, despite ongoing criticisms from industrialists about high tariffs.
Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and regulatory uncertainty in the United States are slowing investments in wind, solar, and energy storage, pushing the sector into a period of caution and market volatility.
Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and regulatory uncertainty in the United States are slowing investments in wind, solar, and energy storage, pushing the sector into a period of caution and market volatility.
The French government activates five funding mechanisms to support industrial decarbonisation projects through the France 2030 plan, targeting major sites, SMEs and high-emission industrial zones.
The French government activates five funding mechanisms to support industrial decarbonisation projects through the France 2030 plan, targeting major sites, SMEs and high-emission industrial zones.
Paris releases a new €400mn funding package to support industrial projects aimed at reducing emissions under the France 2030 programme.
Paris releases a new €400mn funding package to support industrial projects aimed at reducing emissions under the France 2030 programme.
The massive withdrawal of American financial support and the reduction of European aid could jeopardize energy projects in Africa, profoundly altering their financing structure and the continent's commitments.
The Vietnamese government has raised its renewable energy targets in a new version of its national energy plan, responding to continued growth in electricity demand.
The Vietnamese government has raised its renewable energy targets in a new version of its national energy plan, responding to continued growth in electricity demand.
A massive outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on Wednesday, leaving approximately 1.1 million households without electricity after an unexpected shutdown of all its power plants.
A massive outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on Wednesday, leaving approximately 1.1 million households without electricity after an unexpected shutdown of all its power plants.
The Czech Republic has ended its dependency on Russian oil after more than six decades, a major shift made in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Czech Republic has ended its dependency on Russian oil after more than six decades, a major shift made in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The European power purchase agreement (PPA) market for renewables reached 19 GW of new capacity in 2024, with growing momentum for hybrid contracts including storage.
Industry Minister Marc Ferracci criticised the Rassemblement National's stance on energy, accusing it of hindering planned investments in renewables in favour of fossil fuel imports.
Industry Minister Marc Ferracci criticised the Rassemblement National's stance on energy, accusing it of hindering planned investments in renewables in favour of fossil fuel imports.
Bill 69 sparks protests in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where several organisations denounce a risk of privatising Quebec’s electricity sector.
Bill 69 sparks protests in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where several organisations denounce a risk of privatising Quebec’s electricity sector.
Wind and solar energy accounted for nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2024, according to an analysis by think tank Ember, driven by a strong increase in installed capacity.
Wind and solar energy accounted for nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2024, according to an analysis by think tank Ember, driven by a strong increase in installed capacity.
France’s multi-year energy strategy shifts focus away from photovoltaics toward flexibility measures, including battery storage, to address growing imbalances in the electricity market.
France’s energy regulator unveils its first observatory dedicated to renewable electricity purchase agreements, highlighting a recent but still marginal growth compared to State-backed mechanisms.
France’s energy regulator unveils its first observatory dedicated to renewable electricity purchase agreements, highlighting a recent but still marginal growth compared to State-backed mechanisms.
The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade’s energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty.
The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade’s energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty.
The expansion of solar and wind capacity is multiplying hours of negative prices on European electricity markets, weakening the sector's economic balance while reshaping export and storage dynamics.
The expansion of solar and wind capacity is multiplying hours of negative prices on European electricity markets, weakening the sector's economic balance while reshaping export and storage dynamics.

Advertising