The target involves reaching a total installed capacity of 312 GW of renewables– a significant proportion of which should come from non-conventional renewable energy. Non-conventional renewable energy technologies are considered to be small hydro, solar, wind and organic waste.
According to a press release from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Latin America and the Caribbean hold tremendous renewable energy promise. IRENA’s “Future of Solar Photovoltaic” report highlighted that the region’s solar energy capacity alone could grow by a factor of 40 by 2050 to more than 280 GW thanks to an abundant resource endowment and strong enabling policies.
Several Latin American countries are already in the top ten global renewable energy investment list, according to IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, demonstrating the energy transformation momentum that exists in the region.
“This initiative encompasses the type of sizable commitment needed in order to keep global climate efforts on track and help achieve the Paris Agreement goals,” he said. “More than 230 gigawatts of its power already comes from renewable sources.”
La Camera commended Colombia for its driving force behind the establishment of this new goal, which has the support of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, and Dominican Republic, while Panama and Brazil are in discussion. He said Colombia’s renewable energy auctions, which have resulted in the procurement of more than 2 GW, are an “inspiring example for other countries in the region.” Colombia has proposed a goal of at least 4 GW by 2030 from non-conventional renewable energies domestically, reaching 74% of renewable energy nationwide in the power generation grid.
Caribbean islands, together with other small island development states (SIDS), are suffering the impact of extreme weather events, despite their negligible carbon footprint. Several islands, including those in the Caribbean, plan to go 100% renewables, including Aruba, Dominica, Grenada and Montserrat.
