The II International Seminar on Energy Interconnection in Latin America, co-organized by SERC Chile and OLADE within the framework of the X Energy Week, brought together specialists from six countries who addressed technical, political, and economic challenges to advance a more robust regional grid.
The interconnection of Latin American power systems was the central axis of the II International Seminar on Energy Interconnection in Latin America, an event organized by the Solar Energy Research Center (SERC Chile) and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), within the framework of the X Energy Week.
The meeting took place yesterday at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Chile, where experts agreed that advancing regional integration is key to harnessing the region's renewable potential and strengthening energy security.
Regarding the seminar, the executive secretary of OLADE, Andrés Rebolledo, indicated that “with this, we bring conversation, dialogue, and debate, which is always a contribution to the possibility of advancing in these challenges that, for us, are fundamentally important at the regional level—Latin America and the Caribbean, which is our scope, 27 countries. The University of Chile and the Solar Energy Research Center, SERC Chile, already have significant experience in this area; therefore, being able to conduct this jointly is a great opportunity to advance the development of the networks.”
In the same vein, Chile's Undersecretary of Energy, Luis Felipe Ramos, highlighted that the country is committed to creating the conditions for regional integration to materialize: “Our energy policies are based on broad consensus among the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia. And academia has been fundamental to achieving evidence-based public policies, in the design of public policies, and also in forums such as these, where it is necessary to review the technical, economic, and political aspects required to advance an agenda such as energy interconnection.”
For his part, Rodrigo Palma, director of SERC Chile, underscored the seminar's academic and technical contribution: “Being able to co-organize this event along with OLADE is very relevant, as we are generating spaces for conversation and debate that remain as evidence, motivation, and valuable information, and where we feel we are fulfilling our role as articulators among stakeholders to continue moving toward an integration of power grids in our Latin American region, with its advantages and challenges.”
The seminar featured two thematic panels. The first addressed technical challenges, with presentations by Carmen Arias (Itaipú Binacional, Paraguay), Rodrigo Palma (SERC Chile), and Andrés Villegas (ISA, Colombia). The second focused on political and economic challenges, with the participation of Karla Hernández (EPR-SIEPAC, Honduras), Carlos Silva (Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and SERC Chile), and Vilma Estribí (National Energy Secretariat of Panama).
With the participation of specialists from six countries, the activity was consolidated as a key space for reflection and consensus-building to accelerate regional energy integration.
To rewatch the full II International Seminar on Energy Interconnection in Latin America here
