Analysis

Photo of Lourdes Melgar and Daniela Stevens

A Fireside Chat with Lourdes Melgar

In anticipation of the Mexican election on June 2, the Dialogue invited Lourdes Melgar; a prominent energy expert and former deputy secretary of energy for hydrocarbons in Mexico, to share her extensive insights on the energy landscape in the country.

Ashley Rodríguez

Event Summaries ˙

Panelists speaking at the Seventh Annual Latin America Energy Conference

Panelists Discuss the Oil Peak, the IRA and CHIPS, and Decarbonization Strategies

The Seventh Annual Latin America Energy Conference convened experts to explore how tools like energy diplomacy, strategic investments, regulation, technology, and information could square these countries’ urgent need to decarbonize with their continued extraction of fossil fuel resources.

Michael Kerns

Event Summaries ˙

A report cover featuring wind turbines, solar panels, and large battery cells

State of Charge: Energy Storage in Latin America and the Caribbean

Energy storage is a class of technologies that is diverse, complex, and rapidly evolving. Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean will need to acquire a strong grasp of the technical characteristics and benefits of these technologies, the services they can provide, and the most relevant regional and power market applications for each technology, according to this report authored by experts from the Inter-American Dialogue and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham, Ariel Yépez-García, Edwin Malagón

Reports ˙ ˙ Inter-American Development Bank

collage of speaker headshots and image of a wind farm Video

Electrification and Innovation Among Key Private Sector Strategies in Latin America’s Energy Transition

As the energy transition gathers pace and Latin American countries raise their emissions reduction targets, private companies are revising their business models to meet demand for renewable energy and other solutions. The United States has also reemerged as a partner on climate action in the region. This webinar explored the current and potential role of the private sector in Latin America’s energy transition and how the United States can provide support.

Jamie Dorner

Event Summaries ˙

Cover of UCSD US-Mexico Forum 2025 Energy & Sustainability Report showing a wind farm

US-Mexico Forum 2025: Energy and Sustainability Report

The world is in a transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 that will change the way we use and produce energy and shape the sustainability of our planet. This paper, published by UC San Diego, addresses how Mexico and the United States can use their energy resources to deliver jobs, economic prosperity, and social justice at this transformational juncture in history, examining three areas fundamental to the US-Mexico energy relationship: sustainability; hydrocarbons; and gas, power, and renewables.

Lisa Viscidi, Carlos Pascual, Angélica Ruiz, David Crisostomo, Samantha Gross, Verónica Irastorza, Alejandra León, Jeremy Martin, John McNeece, Isabel Studer

Reports ˙ ˙ UC San Diego

una vista de Cusco, Perú / a view of Cuzco, Peru

A More Sustainable Peru Post-Covid-19

Covid-19 has devastated the Peruvian economy. But as the country seeks to rebuild in the virus’s wake, it has a chance to focus on fighting climate change and creating a more sustainable development model. The extractive industries central to Peru’s economy are a source of underutilized revenues that could help seize this opportunity. 

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham

Articles & Op-Eds ˙ ˙ El Comercio

Presentation to Elcano Institute: Clean Energy Auctions in Latin America

Lisa Viscidi, director of the Energy, Climate Change and Extractive Industries Program, gave a presentation to the Energy Working Group of the Elcano Institute on clean energy auctions in Latin America and how their intelligent design could benefit other countries in the region. 

Lisa Viscidi

Presentations ˙

Video

Congressional Testimony: Energy Opportunities in South America

Lisa Viscidi, Director of the Energy, Climate Change and Extractive Industries Program, testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on the subject of “Energy Opportunities in Latin America.”

Lisa Viscidi

Congressional Testimony ˙

Video

Clean Energy Innovation in Latin America

In the wake of the COP21 global climate talks, governments must shift attention to how they will actually follow through on the commitments made in Paris. One concept is central to achieving that goal – innovation.

Lisa Viscidi, Justin Miller

Reports ˙

Rousseff’s Visit to Washington

Rousseff’s upcoming visit presents an important opportunity to advance the global climate agenda.

Lisa Viscidi

Articles & Op-Eds ˙ ˙ Miami Herald