Twenty years ago, international leaders descended on Brazil to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Kyoto Protocol. This summer, a 20-member United Nations panel will once again head to Rio de Janeiro with an even more ambitious agenda.

At the Rio+20 summit in June, the 22-member panel headed by the presidents of Finland and South Africa will present a sweeping blueprint that spans efficiency, conservation and renewable energy solutions adoptable across the world.

The U.N. report offers 56 recommendations that nations both rich and poor can use to revamp their energy mix, revitalize their economies and lift their residents out of poverty.

 

IN THE NEWS

Hunt for CPV: According to Prof. Humayun Mughal, the potential market destinations based on DNI for the CPV technology include Mexico, Chile, Southern Peru, Southwest Bolivia and Northwest Argentina.

Brazil’s Steaming Wind Market: Brazil is one of the hottest wind energy markets with 2011 total approvals for wind energy reaching R$3.3 billion, an increase of 275 percent compared to 2010. A further five wind farm projects in Rio Grande do Norte with a total capacity of 114 MW have just been commissioned, along with the last of the 10 wind farms forming the 222-MW Santa Catarina wind project.

180 MW of Solar in Chile: Renewable energy firm Fotones de Chile has submitted plans for a 400 million solar energy plant in Chile's northern region. The project would have a capacity of 180 MW and would be developed in six stages, each covering the installation of 30 MW. Pending approval, work could begin this year.

Chile-India Partnership: Officials in Chile and India are working towards a long-term partnership that would bring renewable energy expertise to Chile while opening the nation’s lithium industry to India.

Caribbean Solar Goes Big: Solamon Energy has announced plans for a 60-MW solar farm in Jamaica in what would become the largest solar installation in the Caribbean.

Pushing Toward Peru: Onyx announced that the company will shift its new "Plug-N-Play" all in one solar panel to the Peru market.

 

FOCUS ON MEXICO:

Mexico Revises Hydro Law: A modification to Mexico's renewable energy law will broaden the country's definition of "renewable" to include larger hydroelectric plants.

Mexico Wind to Power U.S.: San Diego-based Sempra Energy has accumulated roughly half a million acres in La Rumorosa desert through various leasing agreements and plans to break ground on a 52-turbine, 156-MW wind project by the end of the year. Sempra plans to ship the electricity over a cross-border transmission line, built by the company, that will connect with the San Diego grid.

Geothermal Off to Good Start in Mexico: With just under 1 GW of installed geothermal capacity, Mexico is starting off 2012 with new development plans.

 

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Jan. 11-18, 2012 Latin America Report: Critics Urge More Solar, Wind, Geothermal in Chile
Jan, 4-11, 2012 Latin America Report: Mixed Messages on Wind
Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 4, 2012: Latin America Report: U.S. Solar Company Looks to Mexico and Beyond
Dec. 14-21, 2011 Latin America Report: Environmental Concerns Surface
Dec. 7-14, 2011 Latin America Report: International Firms Chart Course Into Region
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