Regional energy integration is once again taking center stage in Latin America and the Caribbean amid growing demand, volatility in international markets, and the need to strengthen energy security while advancing toward low-carbon economies.
In this context, natural gas continues to play a strategic role as a source capable of providing flexibility, backup, and reliability to systems with a growing share of variable renewable energy. The region also possesses world-class gas resources and interconnected infrastructure that create opportunities to reduce costs and strengthen resilience.
With this vision, OLACDE and CAF are promoting the Regional Gas Integration Project for Mercosur, Bolivia, and Chile, aimed at assessing supply and demand scenarios, analyzing existing and planned infrastructure, and identifying regulatory and institutional opportunities.
The panel will present the project’s main findings and examine the prospects for gas integration in the Southern Cone, as well as their potential application in other subregions. It will also incorporate the results of studies conducted by OLACDE together with ARPEL and IGU for Central America and the Caribbean.
The discussion will address the investment, regulatory frameworks, and cooperation mechanisms needed to consolidate more integrated, competitive, resilient, and sustainable regional markets.
