President of Ecuador to address energy leaders during First South American Energy Forum

Over 150 participants from 17 countries and 9 Ministers to discuss regional integration projects in Latin America
 

 

 

ECUADOR - 10 September 2015
The first South American Energy Forum is being held in Quito, Ecuador on 10-11 September with the aim to promote regional integration. The Forum has been organised by the World Energy Council and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and is supported by the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy (MEER).

Through panel discussions and keynote speeches, the Forum will highlight energy as the most important source for economic growth in Latin America with policies that enable countries to access renewable energy and to unlock the potential of hydrocarbons in the region.

Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the World Energy Council said: “Latin America and the Caribbean are richly endowed with renewable and fossil energy resources. It is clear that energy leaders in the region are concerned about the impacts of the energy water nexus and extreme weather events on the energy system. Indeed these are their top ‘keep me awake at night issues’.

Frei added: “Given that we have seen an almost doubling of the frequency of extreme weather events over the past 20 years we are going to require a different approach to the way we develop and deliver energy resources in the future. True resiliency requires regional approaches to integration and an adapted energy system. This is why this Forum hosted by the government of Ecuador is so valuable.”

Over 150 participants from 17 countries will attend the event, including Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado, the President of Ecuador, 9 Ministers and representatives of governments, international organisations, academia, public and private enterprise in the electricity and hydrocarbon sectors in the region. Attendees will address the dimensions of the Energy Trilemma: energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability, and how regional integration will deliver these Trilemma benefits.

Out of the eleven member countries in the region, representatives from the World Energy Council’s member committees of Ecuador, Argentina, Brasil, Colombia and Perú will bring their national energy insights to the event.

José Antonio Vargas Lleras, Vice Chair of the World Energy Council for the Latin American & Caribbean region said: “This gathering represents a culmination of the efforts the World Energy Council has invested in the region to foster regional cooperation and build energy policies in Latin America that would fulfil the triple challenge of energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability."

Vargas Lleras added: “Ecuador reflects one of the most successful cases in public policy to address the triple challenge of the Energy Trilemma. Its ambitious hydroelectric program will provide 93% of the country's electricity from water resources.  In addition, the 16.5 MW of wind power installed in the south show the commitment of the country to improving its environmental sustainability performance.”

The Forum will allow ministers to define the principles of a South American Energy Strategy; an initiative launched by UNASUR in 2011 which is expected to be revived during discussions at the Forum. The event also provides a platform for dialogue with business on regional topics such as energy efficiency and the impact of a COP21 climate agreement in Latin America. Such exchange of knowledge and experiences will support the entire region to meet the energy challenges beyond the border of each country.

South American Energy Forum 2015: view key participants list and programme