REnewables in LAtin America and the Caribbean
By 2030, at least 70% of electricity consumption in Latin America and the Caribbean should come from renewable sources.
What is RELAC?
RELAC stands for "REnovables in Latin America and the Caribbean". RELAC was created at the end of 2019, within the framework of the United Nations Climate Action Summit, with the objective of reaching at least 70% of renewable energy participation in the regions electricity matrix by 2030. RELAC is a regional initiative with 15 member countries, the only one of its kind in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean. For the first time, a group of countries in the region voluntarily agrees to promote renewables with: (1) a concrete goal; (2) a monitoring scheme; and (3) an operating structure designed to support countries in the process.
Common objective
Accelerate the carbon neutrality of electricity systems in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, improving the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of the sector, generating green jobs sustainability of the sector, generating green jobs, improving air quality, and improving air quality and the health effects of its citizens.
Origin
The "REnovables in Latin America and the Caribbean" (RELAC) initiative was created in 2019 during the Climate Action Summit before the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN).
Specific Target
Achieve a regional target of at least 70% Renewable Energy penetration in LAC by 2030.
Specific goal
With a starting point of 2019, achieve a regional target of at least 70% renewable energy penetration in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.
Electric power generation LAC
2019
Total
1,596 TWh
Renewable (58.5%)
934 TWh
Installed capacity for electricity generation LAC
2019
Total
440 GW
Renewable (59.3%)
280 GW
- Electric power generation LAC
- Hydro: 45.2%
- Aeolica: 6.0%
- Renewable thermal: 5.2%
- Solar: 1.5%
- Geothermal: 0.7%
- Installed capacity for electricity generation LAC
- Hydro: 44.7%
- Aeolica: 6.5%
- Renewable thermal: 4.6%
- Solar: 3.1%
- Geothermal: 0.4%
Members
To date, 15 countries have joined the RELAC initiative:
Partner Agencies
RELAC brings together the main agencies supporting energy transition in the region
Leader of the Technical Secretariat
Monitoring Leader
Contributions from RELAC
Agency Coordination
Identification of technical assistance needs
Dissemination of best practices
Optimization of work with agencies to increase RE participation
Regulatory and Institutional Frameworks
Proposals for the adoption of regulatory and institutional models
Market mechanisms and business models to facilitate private sector participation.
Exchange of lessons learned among countries
Financial Matchmaking
Financing Schemes for Generation & Transmission Expansion Plans
Channeling of climate finance resources.
Co-financing with agencies
Climate action platform
Tracking climate targets for the energy sector
Alignment of power sector objectives with NDCs
