ROME- Energy giant Enel and its renewable energy sector EGP –Enel Green Power- ensured investments for $600 million in the next 5 years in Latin America.

 At the conference “Energy policies in Latin America: Present and Future” held by Mediatrend group, Maurizio Bezzeccheri – President of EGP group in Latin America- discussed the importance of this investment in renewable energies especially because green technologies are more competitive in Latin America than in Europe.

 “Our group is working on several ‘green’ projects in different regions. We are collaborating with Chile for the realization of a system enabled to produce energy out of tides. Also Brazil, Mexico and Columbia are going to collaborate with us regarding hydroelectric and other sustainable systems,” Bezzecchieri informed the conference.

 However, Enel Green Power already has 32 posts in Latin America and its presence has been consolidated throughout the past years in Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala and Panama. But Peru and Uruguay appeared to be interesting new investments regarding renewable resources and green systems of energy production. 

 “Latin America has become the ‘promised land’ of alternative energies” stated Bezzecchieri. “70 percent of all the energy that will be produced in Latin America, it will be renewable.” According to the EGP President, roughly 34 million people in the region don’t have any access to energy; hence the implementation of these renewable projects will be vital for the future of Latin America.

 “In order to produce renewable energies, Latin America needs to implement new laws because the current ones are impeding projects” Bezzecchieri added. Also “It is a pity because with the climatic characteristics of many of the regions, there is plenty of wind and solar energy which could be a fundamental asset making Latin America a stable and secure investment for foreign markets.

 EGP is also facing the problem of social conflicts within the region, as indigenous groups are fighting them back. The installation of new buildings and operational offices is creating discontent and raising concerns among these minor groups.  They are invoking a halt to construction, whether or not is good for the country as a whole.

 Bezzeccheri, replied firmly, “these episodes are making us think what are the real necessities of those minor groups. We intend to create a platform for dialoguing that will pave the way to a friendly collaboration in respect of the environment and of the minorities.”

 “When we had those problems in Chile with the Mapuche community, we managed to create a school and implemented several facilities. Since 2008 we are in good relations with them thanks also to the collaboration of the UN.”

 The EGP President is sure that the collaboration on renewable energy will keep going, strengthening the economic and commercial ties with the so-called “promised land”.