La Paz, Bolivia – The ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group and the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy (MHE) of Bolivia co-hosted an energy efficiency workshop to discuss the guidelines of the Strategic Plan for Energy Efficiency and Conservation for the Plurinational State of Bolivia in a two-day event held on April 23-24, 2013. Nearly 120 participants including Government of Bolivia officials, as well as representatives of the governments of Colombia, Chile and Mexico attended the meeting geared at facilitating the exchange of experiences on the design and implementation of energy efficiency policies and programs. Representatives from ECLAC, IDB, OLADE, OAS, UNEP and the World Bank also contributed and actively participated in this workshop.
Energy efficiency is a core concept in Bolivia’s energy development policy. The Strategic Plan for Energy Efficiency and Conservation for the Plurinational State of Bolivia will allow the Government to use energy resources more efficiently; reduce energy generation needs; alleviate pressure on natural resources; and create a market for energy efficiency.
During the workshop, the MHE officially launched the Bolivian Energy Efficiency Network. Over 30 Bolivian institutions formally declared their interest in joining this network that will provide a forum for dialogue on strategic planning where both public and private stakeholders may participate. This network will be national in scope and will encourage the participation of international stakeholders that will nurture discussions on the challenges imposed by rational energy use. In this regard, the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Mr. Juan Jose Sosa, commented that “as a Ministry, we felt we had the responsibility to take the first step in the establishment of an energy efficiency network”. Minister Sosa thanked the presence of all participants. The creation of a database of energy efficiency and use indicators to serve as the basis for dialogue, as well as the promotion of capacity building and human resources training programs will be developed within this network.
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