Most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are striving to move towards a future that is more sustainable and environmentally responsible. In this context, we enthusiastically announce an important step towards improving energy policies in the region: the preparation and promotion of the Useful Energy Balance (BEU).
Year after year, the countries of the region prepare their National Energy Balances in terms of final energy (BEN), in order to understand the consumption of various energy sources in different socio-economic sectors. However, these balances do not provide details about energy efficiency or specific energy-consuming activities. That is why the Useful Energy Balance (BEU) has been developed, a methodology that provides a more detailed and accurate view of energy consumption.
The BEU not only makes it possible to know the amount of energy available for each consumer sector, but also how much of this energy is actually consumed after passing through the consumption system, discounting all the associated transformation and transportation losses. This information is vital for identifying energy-saving opportunities, promoting technological change, and encouraging more energy-efficient practices.
In 2017, the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) updated its methodology for the preparation of Balance Sheets in Terms of Useful Energy, with the aim of becoming a reference guide for the energy sector in obtaining the BEU. This initiative seeks to position the BEU as a fundamental mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the energy policies implemented in the region, allowing its continuous improvement and adaptation to changing needs.
In addition to its evaluation function, the BEU contributes to the strengthening of the capacities of institutions and officials in energy efficiency issues, through the preparation, updating and dissemination of the results obtained. Likewise, the results of the BEU become a reference and validation element that improves the quality of the National Energy Balances (BENs) that are prepared annually in each country, thus enriching national energy statistics.
Within the framework of this initiative, an open training program has been developed for the countries of the region. This program is divided into two components: a virtual course, which took place from August 15 to 29, 2023, with the attendance of 380 participants, and a classroom course that will be held from September 12 to 14, 2023, with the attendance of 27 participants from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The workshop was held at OLADE’s facilities from September 12 to 14, 2023, with the participation of representatives from 14 countries in the region. This event was welcomed by the Executive Secretary of OLADE, Andrés Rebolledo, the Head of OTC Ecuador Programs of AECID, Vicente Duñabeitia, and the Director of Studies, Projects and Information of OLADE, Medardo Cadena.
This joint Latin American and Caribbean effort demonstrates the region’s commitment to energy efficiency, natural resource conservation, and environmental protection, while contributing to global climate change mitigation initiatives.
About the Project “Preparation of Energy Balances in Terms of Useful Energy for the Industrial, Residential, Transportation and/or Commercial sectors”:
The Project, which is funded by the European Union’s EUROCLIMA Program with support from the AECID as the implementing agency, has been implemented since 2020 in three beneficiary countries: Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay.
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