By: Dr. Franyi Sarmiento, Ph.D., Inspenet, April 13, 2022
A more ambitious decarbonization strategy can bring benefits to Central America, with an energy system cost equal to or less than current planning, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The study concludes that the decarbonized path would cost the region about 20,000 million dollars less than the scenario foreseen in the period 2018-2050
The analysis shows that improving the electrical system can help the region to exploit its abundant renewable energy potential, estimated at around 180 gigawatts (GW), which means multiplying by ten the current installed capacity in Central America.
To achieve this objective, it would be necessary to increase the share of total installed capacity of renewable energies in the regional energy sector to 90% and electrify 75% of the total fleet in the region, by 2050.
IRENA’s roadmap outlines an ambitious, but achievable, Decarbonizing Energy Scenario (DES) that reduces CO2 emissions in Central America by 70% by 2050, compared to the current “Planned Energy Scenario” (PES) of 2050.
“Central America is entering a crucial decade in shaping its future energy system,” says IRENA director general Francesco La Camera. “The region has a unique opportunity to guarantee sustainable development with renewable energy resources that can reinforce its energy security by mitigating dependence on fossil fuels, while reducing costs, stimulating the recovery of the region after the crisis of the pandemic and climate change is addressed.”
According to IRENA’s analysis, tripling the annual renewable energy deployment in the region, by 1.4 GW per year, compared to the planned deployment, would put Central America on track to reach its renewable energy goal. To further reduce emissions from the transport sector, the use of green hydrogen as an alternative fuel is recommended for both heavy road transport and international maritime transport.
The report also points out the main challenges in the region to achieve universal access to electricity and clean technologies for cooking. Currently, 37% of Central American households do not have access to these technologies or clean fuels. In the DES scenario, this proportion would drop to just 1% thanks to the introduction of improved stoves and electric stoves, which would require cumulative technology costs of about $12.5 billion over the period 2018-2050.
Other health and socioeconomic benefits would be the reduction of contamination derived from culinary activities, which would especially benefit women and children.
IRENA indicates that this analysis is intended to serve as technical guidance in the decision-making process of policy makers, energy planners, government institutions and the private sector to define low carbon development in the region, national plans for mitigation and investment plans in progress or in preparation.
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