11. Promoting Renewable Electricity Generation in Developing Countries: Findings from Comparative Analyses in South America

Access to electrical energy has a key role with regards to socio-economic development and poverty alleviation in particular. Local generation and use of renewable energy offer significant potential for local economic development as well as different environmental benefits. However, in many regions, the lack of electrification is a major impediment to economic development. Even though most of the South American countries have specific and defined strategies as well as plans to improve renewable energy generation, actual implementation is threatened by a wide range of legislative, financial, political and technological problems. This paper presents the key findings of a study carried out as part of the Renewable Electricity Generation in South America (REGSA) project, which comprises comparative analyses of the legislative and institutional frameworks as well as the technical and socio-economic potential of electrical power generation by means of renewable energy in South America and in particular Bolivia, Brazil and Chile. In addition, the paper analyses the results of a mapping of best-practice renewable electricity generation projects in South America and the EU. Finally, it will conclude with some suggestions for fostering renewable electricity generation in developing countries.