Energy & Commodities

En esta entrevista exclusiva con Carlos Villegas Quiroga, ministro de hidrocarburos de Bolivia, el ministro promueve que “las empresas privadas inicien programas y proyectos de exploración conjuntamente con la empresa estatal Boliviana.” Mirando hacia el futuro, nota las condiciones necesarias para empezar un diálogo sobre temas energéticos con Chile y menciona que Bolivia tendrá una idea clara a mediados de diciembre sobre las inversiones de Petrobras.

With former President Alberto Fujimori returning to Peru to stand trial for corruption and human rights abuses, AS/COA looks at his impending trial. A new update also examines the country’s overall economic performance, including potential ramifications of discontent in the mining industry.

Brazil offers an important model for energy generation and security. Domestically, hydroelectric and nuclear projects are underway but new oil refineries are needed to meet growing demand. At the same time, President Lula continues to traverse the region to promote biofuels and energy cooperation.

John Sheehan, a senior strategic analyst at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, analyzes the long-term limits of greater biofuel use. Alternative energy topped the agenda at recent meetings between U.S. President Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

To explore energy policy in the Andean Region, with a specific focus on Colombia, the Americas Society and Council of the Americas convened media and public sector experts to look at energy reform, energy integration, and oil production and exploration. This summary provides an overview of the main points from the discussion.

Otaviano Canuto, an executive director at the World Bank, believes biofuels may yield a triple dividend: greater energy security, a cleaner environment, and more economic development. For less developed countries, biofuels offer an outlet for using idle or underemployed human and natural resources.

Driven by energy security and environmental concerns, global calls for greater biofuel production will involve important trade-offs. With Brazil and the U.S. jointly producing 70 percent of the world's ethanol supply, panelists highlighted possibilities for greater bilateral cooperation.