Latin America Report: International Firms Chart Course Into Region

Renewable Energy World Editors
December 14, 2011 | 3 Comments

International corporations continue to look to the Latin American market for expansion opportunities as renewable energy cements itself as a viable solution for nations with an increased level of consumption.

Earlier this week, American-based FuelCell Energy announced it had a tentative deal in place with Spanish energy giant Abengoa to sell biofuel-powered generators into the Latin American market. Ireland’s Mainstream Renewables also announced that it is negotiating with several Chilean mining firms to secure financing for a 75-MW solar plant in the northern part of the country where, according to officials, “demand for energy is very high, due to increased mining activity.” This comes on the heels of a recent decision by international conglomerate Alstom to set up its first wind turbine manufacturing facility in Brazil.

IN THE NEWS

Small Hydropower in Colombia: Colombian power and engineering company HMV Ingenieros will add up to 200 MW in small hydroelectric capacity in the coming years, news sources report. HMV has already developed the 9.8-MW Guanaquitas and 9.5-MW Caruquia hydropower projects in the country's Guadalupe River Basin, and the company is currently working on two more.

Wind Comes to Panama: Large-scale wind energy will make its debut in Panama in 2014 when the first wind turbines are installed for a 121-MW project.

Ethanol Production Decline: The pace of global biofuels production growth will be slower than previously forecast over the next five years due to weaker prospects for Brazilian ethanol and as the U.S. market becomes saturated, the International Energy Agency said. Brazilian ethanol production in 2011 is expected to decline by 75,000 barrel/day to 375,000 b/d due to a poor sugar cane harvest and high sugar prices.

A LOOK AHEAD

A Renewable Venezuela: As Venezuela’s economy gathers momentum and more residents are pulled from poverty, the nation continues to move toward a comprehensive energy strategy built on efficiency and an increased adoption of renewable forms of energy.

Higher Education and Ocean Technologies: The UMass Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology and the University of Sao Paulo Institute of Oceanography have signed an agreement creating dual PhD degrees in Oceanography and Marine Sciences. Faculty from the two institutions have collaborated for years on research projects related to ocean modeling and forecasting which is critical to the economies of both Brazil and Massachusetts.

Brazil Could Help Africa Unlock Potential: Carlos Cavalcanti of the Federation of Industries of the state of Sao Paulo, spoke at the Energy in Africa discussion, in which he said that almost half of Brazil's energy now comes from renewable sources, and that the growth achieved could serve as a blueprint for other developing nations.

A Green Showcase: An environmental fair in Lima shows growing evidence that clean technology is having an impact in places like Peru.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Alstom to Export Across Region

“We’ve made progress in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay and intend to start next year to spread our activities to all Latin American countries. Uruguay and Argentina both have set government auctions [for contracts to sell power from renewable energy projects]."
— Marcos Costa, Alstom executive on markets for turbine manufacturing facility recently opened in Brazil.

BY THE NUMBERS

Wind Growth in Brazil

1,400: Megawatts of wind power capacity currently installed in Brazil.
11,000: Projected megawatts of capacity in the nation by 2014.
31,600: Installed capacity in Brazil by 2025.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Nov. 30-Dec 7, 2011 Latin America Report: U.S. Bill Would Extend Tariff of Brazilian Ethanol
Nov. 23-30, 2011 Latin America Report: Ready for Explosive Growth

3 Comments

Tommy Golden
December 21, 2011

There are a number of countries in Central America that are no BS when it comes to supplying renewable energy to fulfill their own country's energy demands. Just in the last three or four years Nicaragua has become a land of wind turbines as far as the eye can see when entering the country's southern border while traveling north on the International Highway. Costa Rica is also another no BS example of a model country when it comes to alternative energy production. They currently supply close to 90% of their country's energy needs through alternative renewable energies.
In Costa Rica they have manufactured their own huge energy producing lake some thirty three square miles around, and 2,500 ft. up in the mountains of Arenal. This lake known as Lake Arenal has become the centralized power production location of the country and provided a strategic central power grid that is located along the rim of the lake. The power grid can be seen by the many wind farms that line the top of it. It is also tapped by local solar producers.
This man made lake is surrounded by active volcanoes which provide the country with great geothermal energy. There is a huge geothermal plant at the base of the Miravalles Volcano and another one being built in nearby Las Pailas Field.
In the midst of all these technologies is a lakeshore location/resort that is more and more being used to house students the have come to Costa Rica to study alternative energy as part of a study abroad program. This resort is actively looking for an educational organization, university or college that is ready to commit to educating its students overseas in the study of alternative energy production. If educating our future leaders is the key to changing how society will view renewable energy solutions in the future, then Puerto San Luis at Lake Arenal, Costa Rica could become ground zero for the western world's future of green energy education. For more info; http://www.costaricasatellitecampus.com

ANONYMOUS
December 19, 2011

Please be advised that the article referenced about "A Renewable Venezuela" is totally unreliable and inaccurate. The source is a news site supporting President Chavez's agenda and provides no facts to support the opinions stated in the article.
Venezuela's population is not being "pulled from poverty". If anything, the government is changing the definition of poverty to improve the figures. Acquisition power of the population has and keeps falling sharply.
It is true that the country relies heavily on hydro and thermal power. It is true that a wind farm is now operating in Paraguana (after gross budget and schedule overruns). Yet no "efficiency" campaigns have produced reductions of energy demand/unit of GDP. The power system was maxed out and homes and industries had to do with whatever power they got delivered -or generate their own...
Those are but a few examples. My point being that the article doesn't really paint a real picture of the power sector in Venezuela!

Paul Felix Schott
December 17, 2011

Renewable Energy is Leading the World and Solar Energy is at the top above all others. Free Energy from the SUN in the Heavens above.

Sad that for the last 26 years or so of every teacher asked no matter what
Grade k through 16. At least 75% of them did not know Archimedes. Even sadder 85%
of them could not tell you what one of the most Brilliant Scientist to ever
live on Earth. Won the Nobel Prize for.

It was for the work Albert Einstein did to show the World it could get
Free Energy, Electric from the SUN. PHOTOVOLTAICS

These two Archimedes and Albert Einstein are at the top of the list of the World's Greatest Scientists,
Viewed by Scientist around the World.

The strong benefits of Solar Energy is Clear Clean Air viewed in major cities
as improving air quality. Clean Cities. By all that use there brain for good.
View it as protecting the environment and Freedom from OIL and dirty energy.

It is no wonder to anyone with a brain why Oil producing countries are getting into Solar Energy. For more then 50 years they have done everything you can think of to stop or slow down the Knowledge of Free Energy, from the Heavens Above
Solar Energy. That can easily Power all Power needed on This Planet Earth.

GOD Bless you for reading this.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Light up your world and warm your Heart this Christmas.

The Lord's Little Helper
Paul Felix Schott

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