In 2009 6% of Uruguay’s Electricity will be from Renewable Sources
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008Synopsis in English: Uruguay’s Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) reports that the share of renewable sources of energy in Uruguay is growing steadily and should reach 6% during 2009, especially since the Nuevo Manantial de Rocha wind power park is joining the National Administration of Electrical Plant s and Transmissions’ (Administración Nacional de […]
The CEC’s “Annotated Bibliography” on Environmental Impacts of Biofuels
Sunday, October 5th, 2008Normally I would not stick an annotated bibliography in the Temas Recommended Reading List, much less do a review of the “bibliography.” But the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) recently released an “Annotated Bibliography on the Environmental Effects of Biofuels” that I find a bit unusual and noteworthy. It’s more like a review […]
Update: Tackling Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestock in LAC
Saturday, August 9th, 2008When in June I recommended a good article about the contribution of farm animal production to global climate change, I noted the significance for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): the importance of farm animal production throughout the region, in terms of employment, land use and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). One month later, […]
Cooperation on Sustainable Energy & Energy Integration in the Southern Cone?
Thursday, July 31st, 2008From the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC): Authorities and Experts Discuss Energy Security and Integration in the Region The Southern Cone Regional Workshop on Sustainable Energy and Energy Cooperation and Integration gathered specialists from the region Ensuring equal access to energy sources, diversifying the energy matrix and advancing towards regional […]
The Challenge of Land Degradation / El desafio de la degradación del suelo
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008I must admit that, just as was the case with deforestation, in the past I paid very little attention to the issue of land degradation. I won’t bore you with the explanations and excuses as to why, just suffice it to say that it was not high enough on my list of priority environment issues. […]
Corfo Helps 53 Renewable Energy Projects in Chile / Corfo apoya 53 proyectos de energía renovable en Chile
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007Synopsis in English: The Chilean Economic Development Agency (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción – CORFO) this year is co-financing 53 new renewable energy projects, 13 more than it did in 2006. Of these, 29 are wind energy projects, 14 hydraulic power, five geothermal, two biomass and three biogas. In terms of location, 10 involve […]
Locomotives Run on Biodiesel
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007Last May the Doce River Valley Company (Companhia Vale do Rio Doce – CVRD) announced plans to use biofuels in its locomotives. I knew that was economically significant news, since in addition to being the world's second largest mining company, CVRD is Brazil's largest logistics operator, owning three railroads — Estrada de Ferro Carajás (EFC), […]
IDB’s First Loan to a Private Sector Bioenergy Project / Primeiro financiamento do BID ao setor privado para bioenergia
Thursday, July 26th, 2007From the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): IDB approves US$120 million for biofuel project in Brazil First IDB private sector financing for bioenergy The Board of Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank today approved its first private sector financing for a bioenergy project in Brazil for a total of US$120 million to Usina Moema Acúcar e […]
Latest Round of REEEP Projects for LAC
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) recently announced that in its sixth funding round it will fund 35 new clean energy projects, including several in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) (see chart of LAC-related projects below). REEEP is “an active, global public-private partnership that structures policy and regulatory initiatives for clean energy, […]