Bolivia has entered a new phase in its energy strategy with the launch of the Useful Energy Balance (BEU, by its Spanish acronym). The project aims not only to quantify national energy consumption, but also to assess how much energy is effectively used by households, industries, businesses and the transport sector. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy, the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), the European Union’s EUROCLIMA programme, and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
Unlike a conventional energy balance—which measures energy supply and overall consumption—the BEU examines the share of energy that is effectively converted into end-use services such as lighting, heating, cooling and mobility. This approach marks an important milestone in the country’s energy planning: understanding how much energy is consumed is no longer enough; it is also essential to determine how it is used and how efficiently. By identifying energy losses and technological gaps, the data collected will provide a basis for designing public policies on energy efficiency, economic diversification, emissions reduction and energy security.
The BEU will make it possible to accurately identify the sectors with the greatest potential for efficiency improvements, helping prioritize investments and accelerate the adoption of new technologies. The project also incorporates sustainability, territorial equity and gender considerations to ensure that differences in energy access and use across Bolivia are adequately reflected.
The inaugural workshop was held at the facilities of Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) in La Paz. Participants included Jorge Luis Gumucio, Vice Minister of Energy Planning and Development; Andrés Rebolledo, Executive Secretary of OLADE; as well as representatives from the public and private sectors, academia and international cooperation organizations. During the workshop, participants defined the study’s methodology, implementation timeline and data requirements.
Through the development of the Useful Energy Balance, Bolivia is taking a significant step toward a more competitive and sustainable energy system, ensuring that evidence on actual energy efficiency helps guide the country’s strategic decisions and investments.
