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ProTransicion – Strengthening the Energy Transition in Bolivia

The ProTransicion programme aims to establish favourable technical, organisational, and financial conditions to accelerate the energy transition. The programme focuses its actions on priority sectors such as industry, public buildings, and urban transport, contributing to the fulfilment of international commitments on climate mitigation and adaptation.
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sucre
 
-19.0352912
-65.2592563
Bolivia
Project duration
2025 - 2027
Financed by
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

In Bolivia, approximately two-thirds of electricity is generated from natural gas. This high dependence highlights the need to diversify the energy matrix towards renewable sources, with the aim of improving the resilience of the system, ensuring continuity of supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Self-generation of energy through solar panels and the introduction of distributed generation are mechanisms that can create a network that is less dependent on fossil fuels and more efficient.

On the other hand, the introduction of electric mobility in urban public transport reduces operating costs, makes transport more inclusive and cleaner, and allows for the modernisation of the system.

However, both improvement proposals require overcoming initial investment barriers. The project works to generate financial instruments to facilitate the transition to more sustainable technologies. In addition, both sectors require specialised technical assistance to generate ecosystems conducive to investment. The project works with the government and the banking system to provide these conditions.

El proyecto

To strengthen the energy transition in Bolivia, the programme focuses on three key aspects:

  • Decentralised energy generation: Promoting decentralised electricity generation to build a more robust and resilient electricity distribution network.
  • Energy efficiency in industry: Supporting efficiency improvements in industry to reduce natural gas consumption, improve competitiveness and promote a cleaner industrial sector.
  • Electromobility: Introducing electric vehicles in public transport to modernise the system, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve service quality for the population.

The development of the programme components ‘Energy efficiency in the public and productive sectors’ and ‘Electromobility in public transport’ will help to gradually reduce Bolivia's dependence on natural gas as the basis of its economy and energy sector (exports and generation of two-thirds of electricity). This dependence became clear in 2023 with the announcement of the accelerated decline of this energy source.

The energy transition poses major challenges for Bolivia: the development of renewable energies (increased electricity generation from sustainable sources such as solar and wind), better implementation of energy efficiency (solar panels and grid integration) and the development of electric mobility, which is still in its early stages but represents one of the most innovative approaches to urban mobility in Latin American cities.

Bolivia has the opportunity to introduce electric vehicles in public transport, create a new industry with charging infrastructure and promote the adoption of electric vehicles. Together with energy efficiency measures, this will contribute to the country's nationally determined contribution, which was set in 2022 and aims to save 212,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030.

The people who will benefit from the measures under the programme to strengthen the energy transition in Bolivia (ProTransición) are:

  • The main players in public transport in Bolivia's largest cities: traditional transport companies, municipal transport companies and other players in the transport sector.
  • The private sector, which is active in public transport and the electricity sector and benefits from new financing mechanisms.
  • The financial sector, which will work with new players who need investment funds.
  • In addition, decision-makers in the above-mentioned sectors will benefit by expanding their expertise in this area.

Expected results

 

Energy Efficiency in the Public and Productive Sectors

  • Four proposals for financing or support mechanisms—either new or improved—have been presented to decision-makers for potential implementation in energy efficiency measures.
  • A total of eighty professionals and/or decision-makers, of whom 25% are women (20 women), have successfully completed training in energy efficiency within the public and productive sectors.

Electric Mobility in Urban Public Transport

  • One financing mechanism proposal for the implementation of electric mobility in urban public transport will be made available to decision-makers.
  • A total of one hundred  professionals and/or decision-makers, of whom 35% are women (35 women), have successfully completed training in electric mobility.