Renewable Energy Finance Forum Looks at Latin America, the Caribbean

I usually try to attend these Renewable Energy Finance Forums, though I’m going to skip this one, as it focuses on the Latin American and the Caribbean – a part of the world in which, sadly, I haven’t historically gotten too involved.

It sure would be good if I could change that, and somehow get a consulting “gig” to explore the migration to renewable energy down there.  Take the enormous potential of the area’s island nations as an example: Extremely expensive energy from imported fossil fuels, pristine waters and skies befouled with diesel exhaust, tourists whose dollars flow in the direction of cleanliness, and some really good renewable resources, including ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).

The problem that I believe lies at the core of the issue here is political.  I’m not an expert on the region, but I’ll bet the leaders of these nations and their inside circles control the energy picture very carefully.  I’ll wager that the wranglings we experience here in the U.S. are tame by comparison.  But maybe I’m wrong, and the phone will ring someday with an interested client on the other end with one of those wonderfully life-affirming island accents.  The answer, for sure, will be a big, hearty ya man.