Renewable Energies in Bolivia
Introduction
Bolivia produces nearly 60 per cent of its energy through the burning of fossil fuels – with the corresponding negative impacts on the climate. Despite the enormous available potential, the country only uses solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy in a few demonstration projects. The Andean highlands are among the world’s best locations for harnessing solar energy. The Government of Bolivia intends to use this potential and thereby diversify its energy production, a goal that it has documented in the Alternative Energy Development Plan 2025.
The use of renewable energies, which guarantee both security of supply and environmental sustainability, is a major challenge for Bolivia. Staff in the responsible institutions lack the expertise needed to create the legal framework and to plan and implement concrete projects. Energy supply continues to be heavily subsidised by the state, impeding the operation of power stations that use renewable energy on a cost-effective basis.[1]
Energy regulation framework
National Energy Plan (Plan Eléctrico del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia 2025)
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The Electricity sector Plan of the Plurinational State of Bolivia 2025 is the result of a coordinated and projected work toward a long term vision that is framed in the precepts of the Political Costitution of the State and in the 13 pillars of dignified and sovereign Bolivia , presented in the Patriotic Agenda of the Bicentennial. This plan is a pioneering work that systematically quantifies the demands , projects , investments and requirements necessary to sustain national growth by 2025. |
Plan for Developing Alternative Energies in Bolivia (Plan para el Desarrollo de las Energías Alternativas 2025)
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In the framework of the renewable energy policy for the electricity sector of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy, through the Vice Ministry of Electricity and Alternative Energies , presents the Plan for the Development of Alternative Energies in Bolivia 2025 , prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Patriotic Agenda of the Bicentennial an the Electricity Plan of the Plurinational State of Bolivia 2025. This plane defines the lines of action to be followed in order to achieve an effective participation of renewable energies in the energy matrix of the Bolivia electricity sector , constituting a base document for the purpose of its gradual incorporation in the generation of electricity in the country.
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"Electricity to live with dignity" Program (Programa "Electricidad para Vivir con Dignidad")
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The main objective of the "Electricity to Live with Dignity" Program is to achieve universal access to public electricity service in urban and rural areas , encouraging the combination of public and private investment , to improve living conditions, reduce poverty, create jobs and consolidate a productive, economic and social structure for bolivians. |
Projects in Bolivia
Qollpana's wind farm
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In 2009, Qollpana was selected as an ideal place to implement Bolivia's first wind park. Qollpana is located in the municipality of Pocona, 122 km from Cochambamba city. Studies over three years concluded that Qollpana has excellent wind potential to set up a large-scale project. This wind farm was implemented by the National Electricity Company Bolivia (ENDE) Corani and had tecnichal assitance by GIZ. The planning and construction of Qollpana's wind farm is divided in two phases: Qollpana I and II. For more information click here. |
"El Espino" Photovoltaic/Diesel park
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FV/Diesel
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Hybrid PV/Diesel system in the community of Remanzo , Beni
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In many places in Bolivian lowlands , in the most populated areas , the energy supply is only guaranteed from diesel generators . To solve this problem more and more hybrid systems are being implemented , such as that of the Remanzo community in the department of Beni. The hybrid systems consists of a photovoltaic system , in addition to the existing diesel generator will complement the hybrid system with batteries , to store solar energy for use at night. |
Renewable Energies Programme (PEERR) - GIZ
Since May 2016, the Renewable Energies Programme (PEERR) supports Bolivia improving the regulatory framework for the renewable energies expansion in electricity grid-connections and increasing energy efficiency.
The Program supports Bolivian government in creating better conditions for the renewable energy development, in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions as our aim. At the same time, it means a greater diversification of the energy matrix, which in the present is basically fossil - hydro. In addition, within the scope of the Programme, the potential of energy efficiency and its application activities will be identified.
The Program have different intervention levels: at the national level, PEERR will consult the Government about renewable energies regulations and energy efficiency and at the regional level, the programme will advise energy companies and cooperatives in the planning, building and operation of wind and solar photovoltaic projects that are connected to the national grid. In addition, PEERR will also give technical advice on hybrid photovoltaic/diesel systems for people that are far from the grid connection.
In the academic area, the Program will support institutions for training in demand topics, making the educational subjects and the introduction of practical training. Germany has a lot of experience in the field of renewable energies, energy efficiency, technological know-how; which allow us to develop innovative application ideas that may be useful for Bolivia.[2]
For more information: Factsheet PEERR (Spanish version, German version).
• Technical Assistance
Trainning
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Trabajo en altura aplicado a aerogeneradores fue realizado del 19 al 21 de marzo, en Qollpana (Cochabamba). Este curso fue dirigido al personal técnico de la Empresa Nacional de Electricidad ENDE Corani. Este cursó abarcó todos los elementos y acciones que se debe hacer para trabajar con seguridad al momento de realizar el mantenimiento de turbinas eólicas. Para mayor información, haz click aqui |
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Curso "Homer: Software de desarrollo de energías renovables" se desarrolló del 20 al 22 de febrero de 2018 en el Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo de Procesos Químicos (IIDEPROQ) de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. El instructor certificado para este software fue Aleph Baumbach. |
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Curso "Inspección y puesta en marcha de plantas solares fotovoltaicas" fue realizado del 05 al 07 de diciembre 2017, en Santa Cruz - Bolivia. La planta solar fotovoltaica de Viru Viru fue la locación perfecta para la parte técnica. Esta capacitación estuvo a cargo del Dipl. Ing. Georg Hille y Dipl. - Ing. (FH) Benjamin Knödler, del Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). Para mayor información, haz click aquí |
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Curso de capacitación "Energía fotovoltaica con enfoque en sistemas conectados a la red" fue realizado los días 28 de noviembre al 01 de diciembre de 2017, en los ambientes de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), en La Paz - Bolivia. Esta capacitación estuvo a cargo del Dipl. Ing. Georg Hille y Dipl. - Ing. (FH) Benjamin Knödler, del Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). Para mayor información, haz click aqui |
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El Curso de Capacitación: "Intercambio de Experiencias, Pronóstico para la Generación Eólica y Solar" fue realizado el 15 y 16 de noviembre 2017, en la ciudad de Cochabamba, Bolivia. La capacitación estuvo a cargo del Dr. Matthias Müller-Mienack, Director del Departamentos de Estudios e Investigación GridLab - Elia Grid International GmbH. Para mayor información, haz click aquí |
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Studies
Energy Efficiency
Knowledge Management
Training
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El seminario "Nuevos Paradigmas en la Educación Mundial y Energías Renovables" , se realizó los días 12 y 13 de abril de 2018 en la ciudad de La Paz y se replico los días 16 y 17 del mismo mes en la ciudad de Cochabamba y el 18 en la ciudad de Santa Cruz. Los encargados de impartir el seminario fueron Jorge Grube de Leybold Didáctic y Carlos Ormachea expero de NIRAS IP-CONSULT del Programa de Energías Renovables (PEERR) de la GIZ. Para mayor información, Haz click aquí
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Related Proyects
Publications
• Articles
• Factsheets
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Renewable Energies Programme (PEERR) presentation. Description of the challanges, aims and actual situation. Click here for German Version. |
Remanzo Photovoltaic Park Description, planning and advances of the photovoltaic park in Remanzo - Beni, Bolivia. Only German Version. |
Qollpana's Wind Park (Bolivia) Description of the implmentation of the first bolivian wind park in Cochabamba region. Only Spanish Version. |
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Urban lighting with LED technology (Bolivia). DeveloPPP project with PFM company. Only Spanish Version. |
• Videos
See a brief explanation of Alternative Energies in Bolivia. To see the video click here.
Video was made by EnDev Bolivia - GIZ with the Ministerio de Hidrocarburos y Energía
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Video of Climate Change in Bolivia (Klimawandel - versión alemán - versión español).
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News
•2018-07-12 ENDE presenta proyecto de interconexión eléctrica internacional Bolivia- Argentina. Link
• 2018-05-22 Gobierno profundizará Plan de Eficiencia Energética.Link
• 2018-04-08 Tarija estrena planta de energía solar con capacidad de generar 5 megavatios. Link
• 2017-09-15 Alternative energy contributes 3% to Bolivia's electricity system (La Razón). Link
Further information
References
- ↑ 1. Expanding de use of renewable energy: https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/40362.html
- ↑ Expanding the use of renewable energy. https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/40362.html
