Modernization of hydropower in Latin America and the Caribbean: Investment needs and challenges

摘要

Hydroelectric plants are fundamental for the sustainable development of the LAC region's electrical matrix, not only because of the renewable energy supply they provide, but also because of the technological capacity to provide other auxiliary services, such as flexibility and peak generation, frequency regulation, energy storage, among others. Moreover, hydroelectric plants allow for large-scale incorporation of intermittent generation sources, which promotes a cleaner electrical matrix. For this reason, it is necessary to accelerate the modernization of the existing hydroelectric park, which is essential to accompany the transformation towards a low-carbon and sustainable generation matrix.