During the last few weeks, we have seen, heard, and read various information, in all possible media, about the pandemic that affects humanity. The impact of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean is beginning to directly affect the lives of the population due to the decisions, both political and economic, that governments have taken in favor of social protection and human … [Read more...] about The electricity sector, a fundamental pillar in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic
Ariel Yepez
Ariel Yépez is Chief of the Energy Division at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In this position, Ariel is responsible for identifying, proposing and implementing energy projects that promote a sustainable development agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to joining the IDB, Ariel worked at the World Bank as a Senior Energy Economist. Ariel has also served as General Director of Revenue Policy for the Ministry of Finance in Mexico and Director of Economic Planning for Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). Ariel also served on the IDB Board of Directors. Ariel received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago and he has published several articles and books on energy and public finance. Recently, Ariel published a regional report about the challenges of the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean and another report about the vulnerability of Latin American and Caribbean countries to fluctuations in oil prices.
Challenges of the energy sector within the Coronavirus crisis
The crisis caused by the coronavirus reminds us of modern society's dependence on electricity. This reliance is particularly evident in hospitals where electricity is needed to operate fans, refrigerators and other medical equipment; for communication between society and government; for production continuity (through teleworking schemes; education through online studies; and … [Read more...] about Challenges of the energy sector within the Coronavirus crisis
After the investment is done, fossil fuel plants will keep running for a while
An ongoing concern that the world is nowhere near achieving its carbon reduction goals is part of today’s global public policy agenda. Among the factors explaining the rise of carbon emissions are new investments in coal burning plants, and the advanced age of the existing coal power plants in developed economies. In 2015, global investments on coal power plants were over … [Read more...] about After the investment is done, fossil fuel plants will keep running for a while
Where is Pokigron? Lighting up and developing a community identity
In the norther region of South America, in a small village surrounded by the forest and by the not distant Atlantic Ocean, a group of young students in a rural school learn about the graphic representation of earth. In the world map, these pupils could see their country sharing border with Brazil, Guyana and French Guiana, but they could also identify their own … [Read more...] about Where is Pokigron? Lighting up and developing a community identity
World Energy Outlook 2017: How will the Energy Sector evolve till 2040?
On April 9th, Mr. Paul Simons, Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), presented at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) the key findings from IEA’s flagship report, World Energy Outlook 2017 (WEO 2017). Mr. Simons addressed the important role of emerging economies, where the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region will become an … [Read more...] about World Energy Outlook 2017: How will the Energy Sector evolve till 2040?