{"id":50038222,"date":"2020-11-09T18:29:52","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T18:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.dialogochino.net\/?p=38222"},"modified":"2024-10-16T19:28:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T18:28:45","slug":"38222-mapping-thermoelectric-energy-in-latin-america-decarbonization-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/38222-mapping-thermoelectric-energy-in-latin-america-decarbonization-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Stranded’ power? Mapping Latin America’s thermoelectric energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the keys to understanding what countries are doing to counter the climate crisis is to look at where their electricity comes from.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on its origin, the energy we use is either cleaner or dirtier. For example, a power plant that burns coal to produce electricity releases more greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere than a solar or nuclear plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are not among the largest global contributors of emissions that cause climate change, the region is one of the most vulnerable to extreme weather events such as droughts or floods and so are planning cuts.<\/span><\/p>\n

This means that countries, their governments and societies, must move forward in an energy transition that favours electricity generated by renewable sources. Water, sun, wind, geothermal or biomass should be prioritised over energy derived from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and, above all, coal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Costa Rica and Uruguay have grids that, several months of the year, are 100% renewable<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This transition to cleaner sources of energy means that a number of infrastructure projects designed to extract, process and transport fossil fuels will eventually have to be closed or converted in order to meet emissions reductions targets and avoid the worst-case climate scenarios. These facilities have been referred to as ‘stranded assets’ in climate finance and energy planning circles, as countries will need to start calculating how economically and environmentally profitable it is to keep them in operation over the long term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With this in mind, Di\u00e1logo Chino<\/em> presents a unique map that plots all of Latin America’s thermoelectric power plants and that details, where information is available, their energy capacity, status and financial backers. The data<\/a>\u00a0we have compiled is intended to serve as a reference point for those hoping to understand how the countries of the region are progressing in the energy transition.<\/p>\n

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