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
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.
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?
An Opportune Time for Reforming Energy Subsidies in Latin America and the Caribbean
by Estefanía Marchán, Ramón Espinasa, and Ariel Yépez-García. The G20 – a group comprising the world’s 20 leading economies – will meet in Argentina next year for its 10th annual summit aimed at coordinating action to strengthen the global economy and tackle pressing global challenges including climate change. The phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies—a pledge first made by … [Read more...] about An Opportune Time for Reforming Energy Subsidies in Latin America and the Caribbean
Is there still market power in the generation sector?
What are the possible outcomes of market liberalization in the electrical sector? Could be reduction in energy prices, increasing private participation, and an overall more competitive market. A recent policy brief by IDB examines the reform impacts from the perspective of market monitoring, measuring firms’ ability to influence prices in the spot energy market. The results … [Read more...] about Is there still market power in the generation sector?