Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist January 2019 | Page 47

SPOTLIGHT
Peru’s commitment to increase its share of new and renewable energies
and become a sustainable economy entails engaging in active bilateral and
multilateral dialogue with key partners across the world.
eff ectively create micro-climates in which a stunning diversity
of seeds could be grown.
In the modern era, this duality is still apt in energy
production: owing to its geography and its location near the
Equator, Peru has vast resources for electricity production,
which require ingenuity to be fully utilised. A large part of
this potential is comprised of renewable energy sources such
as hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, as well as biomass.
To provide an example, Peru has achieved a total of 372 MW
of installed power based on wind technology. However, if we
manage to tap into our full potential, we could derive up to
20,000 MW of power from wind sources. Geothermal energy,
if used fully, could generate up to 2,860 MW of power.
Likewise, while a total of 284.5 MW of solar-based
power has been installed, its potential is far greater. Peru’s
location near the Equator results in a potential solar yield very
close to the theoretical
maximum. The average
solar energy generation
potential ranges from
4.5-5.0 kWh/m2 in
the rainforest, passing
through 5.0-6.0 kWh/m2
in the coast and reaches a
remarkable 5.5-6.5 kWh/
m2 in the mountainous
areas. The region with
greater radiation solar
potential is the south
coasts of the Arequipa,
Moquegua and Tacna
regions.
The Government of
Peru is working on a
regulatory framework
to encourage investments in renewable energies, with the
intention of reaching 15% of the energy matrix coming
from non-conventional renewable sources by 2030. We are
already making progress to that end. By September 2019,
less than a year from now, 200 thousand solar panels will
have been installed nationwide, providing thousands of
low-income families with electricity, through a basic service
that guarantees the operation and maintenance of installed
systems. This eff ort will directly benefi t people located in
rural and remote areas, such as the high Andes mountains
and the deep Amazon rainforest.
By 2021, our global goal is that the entire Peruvian
population has access to electricity. Currently, we already
exceed 80% coverage and are working to tackle region-
specifi c challenges. Take the case of Iquitos, a city with
nearly half a million inhabitants, located deep in the Amazon
rainforest, surrounded by protected national reserves. Given
its location, Iquitos traditionally had to resort to using fossil
fuels as diesel. In cooperation with the International Solar
Alliance (ISA), we are developing ways in which Iquitos
can tap into its renewable energy potential. ISA is now
preparing a technical study to provide Iquitos with solar
energy which includes the implementation of solar roofs,
LED street lighting, solar pumping for water purifi cation, the
use of solar sustainable
transportation, among
other measures.
The Peruvian
Government has taken
on the fi rm commitment
to continue pursuing
initiatives not only
to promote the use of
renewable energies
as a State policy, but
also to harness its
enormous potential.
We provide incentives
for investment in
Renewable Energy
Resources since 2008
and welcome Indian
investors who are
interested in this new area where opportunities are manifold.
Peru, India and the International Solar Alliance
Peru’s commitment to increase its share of new and
renewable energies and become a sustainable economy entails
engaging in active bilateral and multilateral dialogue with key
partners across the world. India and the International Solar
Alliance (ISA) both stand out in this regard.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 1 • January 2019, Noida • 47