DOE Forms Energy Partnerships with Western Hemisphere Nations

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working to unite the Western Hemisphere on clean energy goals.

The government agency recently announced the formation of a series of partnerships collectively called the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).

ECPA was part of a two-day Energy and Climate meeting between 32 countries in Washington DC. As part of the plan, the DOE will embark on new projects focused on clean energy cooperation, technical assistance and financing, renewable energy, and electricity infrastructure and earthquake preparedness.

“Dozens of countries from across the Americas have come together today to promote clean energy future for our Hemisphere,” said Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu.

“By expanding our cooperation and collaboration on key energy and climate issues, we will lay a foundation for broad-based economic growth while helping to protect our environment.”

Projects include:

• Forming a Research, Development and Innovation Hub with expertise in the sustainable energy use of biomass in Colombia.

• In support of a Caribbean Sustainable Energy Working Group, the DOE will provide technical support to explore the potential for a Caribbean-wide transmission system that would provide the region with access to electricity from renewable energy sources.

• DOE and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed an agreement creating an Energy Innovation Center that will allow them to facilitate regional projects and activities. The Center will serve as a focal point for project development and financing in the region and will be able to access the IDB’s annual energy financing pipeline of approximately $3 billion.

For more information about US renewable energy assistance to other countries, click here.