The U.S. - Central American
Renewable Energy Forum (CAREF III) took place on June 20, 2011
at the Coundil of the Americas in New York. In support of the
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), CAREF
seeks to encourage dialogue, and partner current and potential
private sector investors with Central American energy ministers
to promote renewable energy technologies. Similar to previous
CAREF roundtables, CAREF III was meant to foster an open
discussion on obstacles and opportunities for regulatory reforms
to support clean energy and served as a venue to share best
practices to encourage private investment in renewable energy.
The Organization of American States, and the Council of the
Americas were partners in this event.
The overall
objective of the forum was to identify and address obstacles to
increased use of renewable energy in Central America. The
specific goal of CAREF III was to deepen the dialogue and
understanding of regulatory reform and best practices for
renewable energy in the region. CAREF III, focused on regulatory
reforms needed to encourage regional renewable energy
investment, including in the regional power market. Philippe
Benoit of The World Bank and other regional experts presented on
the obstacles to regulatory reform and on some of the best
practices that have been successful in creating the framework
needed to encourage private stakeholders to invest in clean
energy projects. Former Chilean Minister of Energy Marcelo Tokman also
provided insights from the Chilean regulatory model.
Presentations:
Keynote: A Regional Model for Renewable Regulation
Marcelo Tokman, Former Minister of Energy, Chile
World Bank: A Pathway Towards Development of Renewables in
Central America
Philippe Benoit, Sector Manager on Latin American and Caribbean
Sustainable Development
This event, attended by the
participants listed
here,
was followed by a Renewable
Energy Finance Forum Conference held on June 21-22 at the Waldorf
Astoria in New York.