Energy Panorama
Season’s greetings from La Jolla! It has been a challenging year, but we hope this edition of Energy Panorama finds you well and beginning to enjoy the holiday season. We are pleased to share our annual compilation for your holiday reading, viewing and listening pleasure.
We concluded the year with our Argentina Virtual Oil & Gas Roundtable, a program that had been set for in-person sessions in mid-March in Buenos Aires. The event focused on balancing potential and challenges, as our event summary is titled.  Across several panels this conundrum was very evident: panelists highlighted the huge potential for oil and natural gas production, while also lamenting the shortfalls due to economic, political and regulatory instability. But, there was a good deal of optimism, based largely on the recently enacted Plan Gas 4 policy framework and bidding, as well as an uptick in activity in the country’s oil patch. The event summary and panel videos can be found below.
Keeping with our annual tradition, the December edition of Energy Panorama serves to provide a year-end reflection through selected reports, analysis, podcasts and webinars that we produced this year, as well as insights from our diverse programming across the hemisphere. What follows is a curated compendium of the 2020 IOA Energy & Sustainability Program.
While the early part of 2021 looks to be more of the online, virtual setting, we hope to see you in the latter part of the year. Indeed, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the La Jolla Conference and we will be making a major announcement in January.
We wish you and yours a joyous and peaceful holiday season!
Argentina Virtual Oil & Gas Roundtable
Argentina Virtual Oil & Gas Roundtable Event Summary
Argentina Virtual Oil & Gas Roundtable Videos
Latest Opinion & Analysis
Latin American Electric Utilities COVID-accelerated Evolution
Collaborative Clean Energy Innovation for Economic Recovery
Madrid Energy Conference
Curtain Raiser Videos
La Jolla Energy Virtual Conference
Panel Videos
Other Event Videos from 2020
Colombia Oil & Gas Outlook
Caribbean Energy Security & Challenges Post-COVID-19
Bolivia’s Energy Future – Perspectives for the Next Administration
Reports from 2020
Guyana’s Gas-to-Power Potential
How the U.S. Election May Influence China’s Engagement in the Americas
So, You Want to Make Batteries Too?
The Economic and Strategic Arguments for Renewable Energy in Mexico
The Day After: Latin America’s response to key energy issues derived from COVID-19
XXIX La Jolla Energy Conference Summary Report
COVID-19 and Latin America’s Energy Sector: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond the Crisis
Informe EnergĂa MĂ©xico 2020
Baja California Energy Outlook 2020–2025
Opinion & Analysis from 2020
Chile a la cabeza del Hidrógeno Verde en América Latina
Can Latin America Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuels?
Will Argentina’s New Plan Successfully Boost Gas Output?
Has Progress on Latin America’s E-Mobility Stalled?
Looking for Jobs in Latin America – Can the Energy Transition Help?
A Not-To-Do List for Guyana’s New Administration When It Comes to Oil
Is Chile On Track to Become Carbon Neutral By 2050?
Pros and Cons of a Super Regulator – The case of the Spanish Regulator
Is Covid Speeding up Latin America’s Energy Transition?
Energy Integration Key After the Pandemic
Latin America’s Potential Green Hydrogen Economy
Do Mexico’s New Power Sector Rules Favor the State
Electricity Demand During Lockdown: Evidence from Argentina
Will Investors Leave Vaca Muerta Amid Lower Oil Prices?
Walking the Talk on Climate Change after the Pandemic: Reorienting State-Owned Enterprises towards Sustainability
Mexico’s Fuels Market and a “Double Whammy”
Climate change and human rights
Does Hydrogen Fuel Have a Bright Future in Latin America?
“Samba” Auctions, a Model for Latin America
Webinars from 2020
Global LNG and South America Natural Gas Update – A Madrid Energy Conference Curtain Raiser Webinar
Clean Energy in Mexico Webinar Series
Managing Critical Mineral Supply Chain Risks
Renewables Argentina Trends Expectations Investment Perspectives
The Future of Clean Energy Demands Critical Mineral Policy Solutions
Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI)
Material Metal Security Low Carbon Energy Transitions
Climate Change and the Oil Sector
Energy Panorama
Welcome to the November edition of Energy Panorama.
This month’s featured report assesses a critical topic in Guyana: the potential for gas-to-power in the Caribbean nation. As our white paper sets forth, there remain key challenges to address with regards to the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector. Perhaps most prominent is what the country should do with the natural gas that is also being produced offshore.
We are grateful to our fall research intern and report author, Kathryn Hillis, a second year graduate student at UCSD’s School of Global Policy and Strategy, for her efforts on the white paper.
This month, as Chile announced its national green hydrogen strategy, Cecilia Aguillon, Energy Transition Initiative Director, authored an essay in PV Magazine arguing for Latin America’s focus on the potential for clean hydrogen markets for economic recovery. She posits the role of green hydrogen to accelerate the decarbonization of the electricity and transportation sectors across the region.
Earlier this month, Cecilia responded to the question “Can Latin America Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuels?” and offered insights and commentary for the Inter-American Dialogue’s Energy Advisor newsletter.
The week after the election in the US, Jeremy Martin participated in a panel and discussion with regards to the outlook for Venezuela and the incoming Biden administration. Cecilia Aguillon also commented on the US election and implications for renewable energy in Mexico as a panelist at the MIREC event held on November 10.
We are pleased to share Volumes 26 and 27 of ANZMEX Energy Matters, essays penned by IOA board member Chris Sladen.
Stay tuned for our year-end edition and annual synopsis from the Energy & Sustainability Program at the Institute of the Americas.
Featured Report
Guyana’s Gas-to-Power Potential
Opinion & Analysis
Chile a la cabeza del Hidrógeno Verde en América Latina
Can Latin America Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuels?
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 26
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 27
In the News
Perspectivas sobre el futuro de Venezuela tras elecciones en EEUU
Mexican president wants to make a deal with Sempra on LNG project
Energy Panorama
Welcome to the October edition of Energy Panorama.
We are pleased to share this month´s featured report “How the U.S. Election May Influence China´s Engagement in the Americas” as the 2020 election cycle concludes.
Our report uses the backdrop and attention of the election to contemplate U.S.-Latin America-relations, but particularly the context and future of broader U.S.-China engagement through the lens of a second term for President Trump or a Biden Administration. Nowhere is this perhaps more interesting and important to understand than with regards to the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
On October 29, together with Control Risks, we convened a virtual panel focused on Colombia´s Oil & Gas sector. The panel featured Raul Gallegos, Director at Control Risks; Tony Hayward, Executive Chairman at Glencore International; Jorge Milanese, Regional Director for Latin American at Sproule; Marianna Boza, Partner at Brigard & Urrutia and Jose Luis Manzano, Chairman of Integra Capital, who sponsored the session.
The panel discussion centered on issues of social risk and M&A. The panel kicked off with analysis of social issues from Control Risks and further insights with regards to Carlyle´s acquisition of the Oxy onshore assets and the overall appeal of investments in the sector. The general consensus was very positive for Colombia´s medium and long term outlook given its strong rule of law and regulatory certainty for the sector, a reputation the panelists underscored had been built over several years.
There are key challenges particularly with regards to managing social risks, and a poll of the audience noted over 75% of the attendees were concerned by the potential for conflict. However, the panel emphasized that solutions and paths to mitigate social risks exist and indeed implementation of royalty reforms will be a key element to enhancing community relations and the so-called social license to operate. But, the panel also concurred that the oil and gas transport infrastructure issue remains challenging and demands continued attention from the government and industry alike.
Earlier this week, our Non-Resident Fellow Andres Chambouleyron responded to the question “Will Argentina´s New Plan Successfully Boost Gas Output?” and provided commentary for the Inter-American Dialogue´s Energy Advisor newsletter.
We are also pleased to share the latest Energy Matters essay from IOA board member Chris Sladen written for ANZMEX.
Featured Report
How the U.S. Election May Influence China´s Engagement in the Americas
Opinion & Analysis
Will Argentina´s New Plan Successfully Boost Gas Output?
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 25
Webinar
Colombia Oil & Gas Outlook: M&A and Social Risk Management
In the News
Sempra´s subsidiary in Mexico still awaiting final LNG export permit
Pemex Remains Outlier as Fellow Latin American NOCs Embrace Divestment, Liberalization
Energy Panorama
Welcome to the September edition of Energy Panorama.
We just wrapped up the second annual Madrid Energy Conference together with our partners IPD Latin America and Global Event Partners. While we moved this year’s event online across an entire week, our goals and objectives were unchanged: to address the way that energy is generated, distributed and consumed and the investment needed in Latin America to drive the energy transition and the nexus with Europe.
This year’s Madrid Virtual Energy Conference convened six ministers, 20 CEO’s and several other experts and senior officials, along with over 400 participants, to assess and leverage developments in Europe with an eye to how they can inform policy and investment frameworks in Latin America. Since the founding and launch of the Madrid Energy Conference we have sought to develop a program in concert with the subtitle: Where Europe and Latin America meet for energy dialogue.
Below is a link to an articled developed by our principal media partner, IPS. Please stay tuned for our complete conference analysis and post-event report in the coming weeks.
In our preparation for the Madrid Energy Conference, we also continued with two more Curtain-Raiser video interviews as well as a webinar.
In line with his participation in a panel on mobility, transport and energy transition, Non-Resident Fellow, Leonardo Beltran, joined with Cecilia Aguillon, Director of the IOA’s Energy Transition Initiative, to respond to the question “Has Progress on Latin America’s E-Mobility Stalled?” for the Inter-American Dialogue’s Energy Advisor newsletter.
Also this month, Leonardo Beltran examined the impact on fuel demand post-covid and argued that we will continue to see an acceleration of the process of digitalization and automation, which in turn most likely will result in an overall global reduction in mobility.
Our colleague and fellow, Roger Tissot, published an interesting piece this month focused on the intersection of renewable energy, recovery and employment. He specifically assessed the question: Can the “energy transition” in Latin America help address the risks caused by greenhouse gases (GHG) on the climate, and the economic depression caused by the pandemic?
As always, we are pleased to include two essays from IOA board member Chris Sladen and his essays written for ANZMEX. Be sure to take the “who wants to be a millionaire” quiz that Chris included in Volume 24.
Madrid Energy Conference
Energy Transition and Post-Covid Recovery, a Challenge for Latin America
Opinion & Analysis
Looking for Jobs in Latin America-Can the Energy Transition Help?
Has Progress on Latin America’s E-Mobility Stalled?
Investing in the “Hidden Fuel” the Smartest Alternative
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 23
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 24
Madrid Energy Conference Curtain Raiser Videos
Madrid Energy Conference: Energy Transition with Jose Vicente Zapata, Partner at Holland & Knight
Madrid Energy Conference: Energy Transition Curtain-Raiser with Catherine Von Burg, CEO & Co-Founder, SimpliPhi Power, Inc.
Madrid Energy Conference Curtain Raiser Webinar
Global LNG and South America Natural Gas Update-A Madrid Energy Conference Curtain-Raiser Webinar
In the News
Uruguay reafirma su compromiso de bajar emisiones y hacer mejor uso de las energĂas
Mexican renewables: trapped by policy about-face
Brazil’s grid expansion balancing act
Trump, Argentina and the LatAm energy transition
Opportunities in Uruguay’s energy plan
GEB’s Vision for Renewables, gas expansion and regional integration
Energy Panorama
Welcome to the August installment of Energy Panorama.
This month’s featured analysis, A Not-To-Do List for Guyana’s New Administration When It Comes to Oil, was timed to coincide with the arrival of the new administration in Guyana on August 6 and set forth five actionable ideas for the Ali administration to consider as the new government reviews the country’s policy and regulatory frameworks.
Cecilia Aguillon, Director of the IOA’s Energy Transition Initiative, assessed the developments in Chile with regards to its decarbonization goals for the Inter-American Dialogue’s Energy Advisor newsletter and the question: Is Chile On Track to Become Carbon Neutral By 2050?
In our preparation for the Madrid Energy Conference, we are hosting a series of Curtain-Raiser video interviews. The first two centered on Latin America’s renewable energy revolution. Alfredo Solar, General Manager for Chile at Atlas Renewable Energy and Claudio Rodriguez-Galan, a partner at ThompsonKnight in Mexico shared views and insights in advance of their participation in the panel “Assessing Latin America’s Renewable Energy Revolution.” They weighed in with their view on the top markets for renewables, key drivers and barriers across the region, as well as what impact COVID-19 is having on deployment of renewable energy and the energy transition.
Also this month, Jeremy Martin joined the San Diego Diplomacy Council event “Perspectives from Global Experts on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy” to discuss climate action and the latest developments on sustainable energy, adding perspectives from Latin America.
As always, we are pleased to include the latest essay by IOA board member Chris Sladen and his essays written for ANZMEX.
Be sure to mark your calendars for our collaboration with IPD Latin America and Global Event Partners for the second Madrid Energy Conference set for Sep 28-Oct 2, online this year. But first, don’t miss our Curtain-Raiser webinar focused on LNG and Natural Gas on September 15.
Opinion & Analysis
A Not-To-Do List for Guyana’s New Administration When It Comes to Oil
Is Chile On Track to Become Carbon Neutral By 2050?
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 22
Madrid Energy Conference Curtain Raiser Videos
Madrid Energy Conference: Renewable Energy Curtain-Raiser with Claudio Rodriguez-Galan, Partner at ThompsonKnight
Madrid Energy Conference: Renewable Energy Curtain-Raiser with Alfredo Solar, General Manager for Chile, Atlas Renewable Energy
External Engagement
Perspectives from Global Experts on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy
Energy Panorama
Welcome to the July edition of Energy Panorama. This month’s featured analysis, Pros and Cons of a Super Regulator – The case of the Spanish Regulator, focuses on the debate over the role of regulators in Mexico. Specifically, our Non-Resident Fellows Andres Chambouleyron and Leonardo Beltran delved into the proposal in Mexico to create a market super regulator, largely derived from the Spanish experience.
Our Clean Energy in Mexico webinar series in collaboration with the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center also convened a discussion focused on regulators and regulation: Will Mexico’s regulatory level playing field survive? A conversation with the experts that featured former CRE Commissioners Francisco Xavier Salazar, Montserrat Ramiro and Guillermo Zuñiga.
We are also pleased to share the summary report from our Virtual Panel on Caribbean Energy Security, that included a presentation and discussion of the vision for the energy sector of the incoming government in the Dominican Republic as well as perspectives and the impact of COVID-19 on energy transition and natural gas in the Caribbean Basin.
July saw the release of Spanish versions of two previously published reports and our efforts to further assess the outlook for renewable energy in Mexico as well as the role and importance of critical minerals and supply chains in the hemisphere:  Los Argumentos EconĂłmicos y EstratĂ©gicos para la EnergĂa Renovable en MĂ©xico and Entonces, TĂş TambiĂ©n Quieres Hacer BaterĂas? Un marco de referencia para desarrollar una estrategia industrial de la cadena de suministros de BaterĂas de Iones de Litio.
Continuing our assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the pace and scope of energy transition across Latin America, we were pleased to have both Cecilia Aguillon, Director of the IOA’s Energy Transition Initiative, and Andres Chambouleyron contribute to the Inter-American Dialogue’s Energy Advisor newsletter and respond to the question: Is Covid Speeding up Latin America’s Energy Transition?
We also delved into the role of energy integration after the pandemic in an essay by Leonardo Beltran.
Jeremy Martin participated and moderated a July 15 virtual panel we organized in collaboration with CEBRI and a wide-ranging discussion of climate change, deforestation, power markets, energy transition and natural gas in Brazil.
As always, we are delighted to include the insights of IOA board member Chris Sladen and his essays written for ANZMEX.
Be sure to mark your calendars for our collaboration with IPD Latin America and Global Event Partners for the second Madrid Energy Conference set for Sep 28-Oct 2, online this year.
Reports
Pros and Cons of a Super Regulator – The case of the Spanish Regulator
Seguridad Energética en el Caribe y Retos Post-COVID-19
Los Argumentos EconĂłmicos y EstratĂ©gicos para la EnergĂa Renovable en MĂ©xico
Entonces, TĂş TambiĂ©n Quieres Hacer BaterĂas? Un marco de referencia para desarrollar una estrategia industrial de la cadena de suministros de BaterĂas de Iones de Litio
Opinion & Analysis
Is Covid Speeding up Latin America’s Energy Transition?
Energy Integration Key After the Pandemic
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 20
Chris Sladen ANZMEX Energy Matters Vol 21
Webinars
Caribbean Energy Security
Energy: Reflections and perspectives
Will Mexico’s regulatory level playing field survive? A conversation with the experts
La Jolla Conference
Videos
In the News
Mexico Energy Regulator Losing Independence, Not Fulfilling Duties Under AMLO Government, Former Commissioners Say
Uso de combustĂłleo para electricidad sigue contaminando Ciudad de MĂ©xico
Spotlight: Aura Solar III – Mexico’s only solar-plus-storage park – BNamericas
YPF lanza un plan de retiros voluntarios con los incentivos más altos del sector
