This book comprehensively analyzes the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to sustainable energy systems in Latin America. Recognizing that energy transition goes beyond mere changes in energy systems, it is also essential to address the imperative of ensuring a just transition and equitable benefits for all, particularly for vulnerable populations. This recognition emphasizes prioritizing social equity and inclusivity throughout the energy transition process. By adopting a critical perspective grounded in multidisciplinary approaches from the social sciences, the book delves into the complex energy transition issues, exploring the broader social, economic, and political dimensions involved. The book is divided into four parts. Part I highlights the changing energy mix in Latin America and the geopolitical implications of the increasing reliance on renewable sources. Part II examines the dilemmas faced by countries that rely on oil and gas revenues and the obstacles they face in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Part III analyzes the production, technology, and costs as limits and opportunities for energy transition and adoption of renewable energies. Finally, part IV explores energy access and the democratization of energy generation in Latin America, including efforts to address energy poverty, the growth of distributed energy, and prosumers. Energy Transitions in Latin America: The Tough Route to Sustainable Development is a valuable resource that will benefit researchers in energy studies and policymakers alike. It serves as a comprehensive guide for those seeking to navigate the complexities of energy transitions. It is an essential source for fostering informed decision-making and driving sustainable development in the region.

Consumer (co-)ownership in renewable energy (RE) is essential to the overall success of Energy Transition. In June 2018, the European Union agreed on a corresponding enabling framework as part of a recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). The transposition of these comprehensive rules – in particular those on local RE communities – requires developing, implementing and rolling out business models that broaden the capital participation of consumers. The challenge is to include municipalities and/or commercial investors like SMEs and advance to economies of scale while retaining the benefits of individual consumer participation. This book is addressed to energy consumers in local communities, their municipalities and to the policy makers who represent them. Additionally, non-EU countries, in particular those where rural areas have limited access to energy, e.g. in Asia, Africa and Latin America, may be interested in the benefits of consumer ownership. While demand for energy in developing countries is growing, access to energy is crucial for improving the quality of life. The editor of this book presents a new model of consumer ownership in RE for both the EU and countries worldwide. Part One describes the rationale for consumer ownership in RE with regard to social, organizational, legal and financial conditions. Part Two discusses the issue of financing RE and introduces a new financing technique, the Consumer Stock Ownership Plan (CSOP), comparing it to traditional models. Part Three provides 18 country studies from Europe, North America, South America and Asia, organized so as to enable a cross-country comparison of policy approaches and feasibility. Policy recommendations are based on the results of this survey. Part Four summarizes, compares the best practice cases, presents a cost-benefit analysis of “prosumage” and against this background evaluates the impact on future policy.

We are living in a critical moment, a reality marked by environmental and socio-economic limits that requires innovative and realistic forms of action and planning. This is what regenerative urbanism proposes, a new approach based on utopian pragmatism that seeks to restore balance to the urban territory by designing systems that allow it to adapt and transform. It is a methodology that defines models that do not consume available resources, but rather generate new ones that ensure compatibility between economic and social prosperity and nature. Santander, Hábitat Futuro (Santander, Future Habitat) is the city model created from this methodology, a proposal for the transformation of this city for the year 2055. It is an open model based on innovation and citizen participation that prepares and adapts the territory for the different scenarios to come. Santander, Habitat Futuro is a guide that directs the commitment of the different social, economic and political agents towards a common goal: to achieve a circular, sustainable, resilient, vertebrate, prosperous, vital and inclusive city. A model that, due to its innovative nature, can serve as an example to other intermediate cities around the world.

This book addresses key issues on energy transition and its consequences to humankind. The authors intend to discuss how we may tackle climate change considering the rights of current and future generations allow following an ethical scope; a creator of social, economic, and environmental justice that considers the consequences of current choices. Thus, we invite all readers to enjoy this book.

En un mundo volátil y desafiante, la transición global hacia un sistema energético que minimice las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero constituye una de las principales herramientas para acotar el calentamiento global −cuyo avance constituye un serio riesgo a los ecosistemas, a la vida humana y a las actividades económicas que le dan sustento−. En ese marco, Argentina debe definir una estrategia propia de transición energética consistente con los objetivos globales, pero acorde a la dotación de recursos, necesidades y prioridades del país; una estrategia que se traduzca en una adecuada planificación de las necesidades y posibilidades de abastecimiento energético del país en equilibrio con el cuidado del medio ambiente. Sin embargo, no existe aún una visión consistente sobre cómo Argentina debe enfrentar este desafío y día a día surgen preguntas nuevas: ¿Qué hacer con la producción no convencional de Vaca Muerta? ¿Debe promocionarse la exploración off shore? ¿Qué hacer con los biocombustibles y los vehículos con motor a combustión interna? ¿Tenemos que construir infraestructura para exportar gas natural masivamente al mundo? ¿Hay que acelerar la electrificación de nuestro consumo energético? Son algunos de los interrogantes que no tienen una respuesta única. A partir de entrevistas, este trabajo refleja la visión que tienen algunos referentes del sistema energético local −empresarios, académicos, consultores, miembros de ONG, funcionarios y ex funcionarios del área, dirigentes políticos− sobre la transición energética global y las oportunidades y amenazas que abre para la Argentina. En un conjunto de coincidencias y matices, se identifican diez puntos centrales que, sin duda, formarán parte de la discusión pública en torno a nuestra estrategia de transición.

“Estoy de acuerdo con los puntos planteados y con la visión de Ayuk sobre el papel fundamental que desempeñará la OPEP para ayudar a las productores de petróleo africanos a lograr una voz muy merecida en la industria petrolera” —Secretario General de la OPEP, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Dos décadas de negociación de transacciones de petróleo y gas han dado a NJ Ayuk un entendimiento del panorama energético en el continente que muy pocos pueden igualar. Educado en Estados Unidos, el abogado Africano en materia energética brinda dosis generosas de ese conocimiento en su segundo libro Billones en Juego: El Futuro de la Energía Africana y de Cómo Hacer Negocios. Sirviendo como guía para que el continente haga un mejor uso de sus vastos recursos energéticos a efecto de mejorar las vidas de las personas, Ayuk aborda como los países Africanos pueden utilizar sus industrias energéticas como trampolines para diversificar y crecer sus economías. Asimismo, Ayuk muestra como los gobiernos africanos y las compañías locales pueden negociar mejores tratos con compañías energéticas internacionales, y como los países del continente pueden utilizar campos marginales de petróleo y gas para desarrollar sus industrias energéticas domésticas, las cuales, una vez fortalecidas, podrán competir globalmente. Planteamientos y respuestas: Porque los incipientes recursos de gas natural de África pueden ayudar al continente a emerger como un jugador global clave en la industria Que cambios pueden hacer los países Africanos a efecto de convertirse en destinos atractivos de inversión El rol que el acceso a electricidad confiable, sustentable y asequible puede tener en la aceleración del crecimiento económico Como y porque las compañías energéticas Americanas deberían de dejar de limitar sus inversiones en África Y porque la industria energética en el continente requiere más mujeres. El tema subyacente del libro es que, en demasiadas ocasiones, los recursos naturales crean riqueza para inversionistas extranjeros y un selecto grupo de elites Africanas, mientras que el resto de la gente (y, en consecuencia, las economías Africanas) no obtienen ningún beneficio. Si bien es fácil percibir que existe una falta de participación local en proyectos en África, así como un constante reto para obtener las inversiones necesarias, es importante entender nuestro rol en esto. Debemos comprender la importancia de crear ambientes propicios con términos fiscales atractivos para inversionistas locales y extranjeros, el rol de políticas de contenido local más solidas a efecto de asegurar participación local en el sector, y el peso que el gobierno y la inestabilidad política tienen en el desarrollo de los proyectos. “Depende de los Africanos arreglar África,” escribe Ayuk. Este enunciado puede considerarse como un tema vivo en el libro, ya que promueve que compañías locales y gobiernos celebren convenios de colaboración en lugar de compromisos pasivos con compañías energéticas internacionales y los grandes jugadores del sector. “[Necesitamos] inversionistas que muestren interés en participar completamente con nosotros, entrando al mercado y construyendo negocios sustentables y rentables de largo plazo, creando empleos y desarrollo adicional.” Si estas listo para sumergirte a profundidad y acceder a un franco análisis y examen del panorama energético en África y como los Africanos pueden comenzar a arreglar África, adéntrate a las páginas de Billones en Juego. ENGLISH VERSION “I agree with the points made—and with Ayuk’s case for the critical role that OPEC will play in helping African oil products achieve a much-deserved voice in the petroleum industry.” —OPEC Secretary-General, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Two decades of negotiating African oil and gas deals have given NJ Ayuk a grasp of the continent's energy landscape that few can match. The American-educated, African energy lawyer serves up generous doses of that insight in his second book, Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals. Serving as a road map for the continent to do a better job of using its vast energy resources to improve its peoples' lives, Ayuk addresses how African countries can use their energy industries as springboards for diversifying and growing their overall economies. In addition, Ayuk shows how African governments and local companies can negotiate better deals with international energy companies and how the continent's countries can use marginal oil and gas fields to develop domestic energy industries that, once strong, will compete globally. Questions posed and answered: Why Africa's fledgling natural gas resources can allow the continent to emerge as a key global player in the industry What changes African countries can make in order to become attractive investment destinations The role that access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable power can play in the acceleration of economic growth Why and how American energy companies should stop curtailing their investments in Africa And why the continent’s energy industry needs more women The book’s underlying theme is that too often, natural resources create wealth for foreign investors and a select group of African elites while everyday people (and in turn, African economies) fail to benefit. While it is easy to see that there is a lack of local participation in African projects and an ongoing challenge in securing necessary investment, we also need to understand our role in this. We have to understand the importance of creating enabling environments with attractive fiscal terms for local and foreign investors, the role of stronger local content policies in ensuring more local participation in the sector, and the weight government and political uncertainty carries in moving projects forward. “It’s up to Africans to fix Africa,” writes Ayuk. This statement can be considered a living theme throughout the book as he encourages that local companies and governments have to enter into collaborative agreements rather than passive engagements with IOCs and majors. “[We need] investors who show that they want to fully participate with us, by coming in and building long-term sustainable businesses that last and make a profit, create jobs and further development.” If you’re ready to dive headfirst into accessing a frank analysis and examination of the African energy landscape and how Africans can begin to fix Africa, jump into the pages of Billions at Play.