UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Intergovernmental Organization

Name of Organization:	The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)

Name of Focal Point:	Binu Parthan

Initiative Title:	Development of a Sustainable Energy Policy Framework for Guatemala

Internet links:	http://www.reeep.org/index.cfm?articleid=1374&parentid=916

Scope:	National: - Guatemala

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: 2006 End:

Lead Institution:	Fundacion Solar

Stakeholders/Partners:	REEEP, GVEP-GAP, UNDP-GEF

Relevent issues:	- Renewable energy including hydro power

Objectives/Challenges:

Objective:
Preparation of a proposal to the Government of Guatemala for a long-term national energy policy, with emphasis on renewable energy, energy efficiency and environment to foster poverty reduction, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and mitigation to climate change.
Challenges:
• Lack of general energy consumption knowledge in country, which leads to preparation of a basic energy document
• Preparation of energy sector information in simple terms for overall comprehension

Lessons Learned:

Policy development initiatives lead by NGOs find it difficult to gain acceptance from the Governments.
Lobbying prospective candidates during a general election could be an interesting option to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation.

Policy Options:

A national energy policy with emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency is expected to be adopted in Gautemala.

Summary:

Guatemala has a General Electricity Law and an Incentive Law for electric energy generation with renewable energy resources, but it lacks a general energy policy directive framework. The objective of this project is to prepare a policy directive via the input of multisectorial Government participation, as well as that of representative national stakeholders, that will integrate all aspects of sustainable development through the provision of modern energy services and energy efficiency. The main activities consist of the preparation of a basic document, the identification of stakeholders that will participate in the policy development process, the conduction of workshops with targeted stakeholders to obtain feedback, the incorporation of proposals to a basic policy document and the development of a framework for consensus on a draft policy directive. Indigenous populations are involved in the decision-making process. The outcome of the process will be presented to and discussed with relevant Government decision makers, aiming at he approval of a consistent, long-term and comprehensive national sustainable energy policy proposal with a participatory approach that will serve as an umbrella for all energy sectors, coordinating actions among them as well as with other sectors of the country.