Sector: Sustainable energy

LACIF invests in projects that develop sustainable energy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy). This includes a variety of projects that improve the quality of energy access, and increase energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.

Relevant sub-sectors financed include:


Energy conservation and demand-side efficiency:

All projects in support of energy demand reduction, e.g. building and industry upgrades, smart grids, metering and tariffs. Also includes efficient cook-stoves and biogas projects.


Energy generation, renewable sources - multiple technologies:

Renewable energy generation programs.


Hydroelectric power plants:

Including energy generating river barges.


Solar energy:

Including photovoltaic cells, solar thermal applications and solar heating.


Wind energy:

Wind energy for water lifting and electric power generation.


Marine energy:

Including ocean thermal energy conversion, tidal and wave power.


Geothermal energy:

Use of geothermal energy for generating electric power or directly as heat for agriculture, etc.


Biofuel-fired power plants:

Use of solids and liquids produced from biomass for direct power generation. Also includes biogases from anaerobic fermentation (e.g. landfill gas, sewage sludge gas, fermentation of energy crops and manure) and thermal processes (also known as syngas); waste-fired power plants making use of biodegradable municipal waste (household waste and waste from companies and public services that resembles household waste, collected at installations specifically designed for their disposal with recovery of combustible liquids, gases or heat).


District heating and cooling:

Distribution of heat generated in a centralized location, or delivery of chilled water, for residential and commercial heating or cooling purposes.


Electric power transmission and distribution:

Grid distribution from power source to end user; transmission lines. Also includes storage of energy to generate power (e.g. pumped hydro, batteries) and the extension of grid access, often to rural areas.


Energy policy, planning and administrative management:

Energy sector policy, regulation, planning; aid to energy ministries; institutional capacity building and advisory services; unspecified energy activities.