This paper investigates trends in energy intensity in Latin American countries over the last 40 years. It applies the Fisher Ideal Index to decompose the energy intensity into the relative contributions of energy efficiency and the activity mix, and then analyzes the determinants of these energy...

The history of the electric power industry in Latin America has been a continuous search for a formula that would yield a reliable and efficient service, accessible to all. By recognizing the difficulties encountered in the last three decades in implementing all types of models, Market or State?...

High government debts, weak economic growth, vulnerability to external shocks and the design of sound fiscal consolidation strategies are among the most critical issues that some of the Caribbean countries have currently to deal with. Stabilization programs may harm economic growth but, under...

This paper contributes to the analysis of the Caribbean's growth performance by setting out a framework for benchmarking indicators of key micro drivers and related structural policies that help explain differentials in productivity and real GDP per capita across the region, and relative to...

This paper focuses on the question of whether the magnitude of long-established environmentally related taxes (ERT) is related to countries environmental performance. While environmental taxes efficiencies have previously been discussed, those taxes contribution to reducing pollution and...

Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are interested in diversifying their energy sources for energy security and in contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Non-traditional renewable energy (NTRE) sources, which include wind, solar, geothermal and small-scale hydropower,...

This paper exploits unique features of a recently introduced tariff schedule for natural gas in Buenos Aires to estimate the short-run impact of price shocks on residential energy utilization. The schedule induces a non-linear and non-monotonic relationship between households' accumulated...

This paper aims to present a snapshot of some of the best practices in the promotion and use of renewable energy, and provide practical examples of the development of renewable energy markets that countries in Latin America and the Caribbean can replicate. This brief study provides an overview...

This presentation provides a brief overview of the Trans European Networks (TENs), which include TEN-T (transport and traffic management systems) and TEN-E (electricity & gas networks). It discusses the legal and regulatory framework for the TENs, financing and funding sources, challenges and...

This discussion paper presents a survey of the changes in Latin America's energy consumption over the last 30 years, before considering the trends that will affect the region in the coming decades. It highlights several important issues, including the growing demand for oil, which has prompted a...