Lights On?: Energy Needs in Latin America and the Caribbean to 2040

This report intends to answer the question, how much energy is likely to be needed in countries across the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) through 2040? The authors estimate region-wide primary energy demand to be at least 80% higher than present day levels, reaching over 1,538 million tonnes of oil equivalent. However, according to the authors’ estimates, LAC will have reduced energy intensity by more than 17% between 2016 and 2040. The report is meant to provide a basis for understanding future energy demand in LAC countries, and to present open and transparent energy demand scenarios for the region through 2040. The report also examines some of the linkages between energy and development in LAC countries. It presents the region’s energy consumption at a glance, and it summarizes the projections for total energy use and electricity requirements, based on assumed growth rates of per-capita income and energy prices across the region. Finally, the authors investigate associated challenges and offer concluding remarks.