In Bolivia, approximately two-thirds of electricity is generated from natural gas. This high dependency highlights the need to diversify the energy matrix towards renewable sources, with the aim of improving system resilience, ensuring supply continuity, 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 less reliant on fossil fuels and more efficient.
On the other hand, the introduction of electric mobility in urban public transport leads to reduced operating costs, cleaner and more inclusive transport, and enables system modernisation.
However, both improvement proposals require overcoming the barrier of initial investment. The project works on developing financial instruments to facilitate the transition to more sustainable technologies. Additionally, both sectors require specialised technical assistance to create ecosystems conducive to investment. The project collaborates with the State and the banking system to provide these conditions.
To strengthen Bolivia’s energy transition, the programme promotes three key pillars:
The development of the “Energy Efficiency in the Public and Productive Sectors” component and the “Electric Mobility in Urban Public Transport” component of the Programme to Strengthen the Energy Transition in Bolivia – ProTransicion will gradually help break Bolivia’s dependence on natural gas as the foundation of its economy and energy sector (exports and the generation of two-thirds of electricity). This dependency became evident in 2023 with the announcement of the accelerated decline of this energy source.
The energy transition presents significant challenges for the development of renewable energies (increased electricity generation from sustainable sources such as solar, wind, and others); better implementation of energy efficiency (solar panels and integration into the grid); 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 into public transport, creating a new industry with charging infrastructure and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. Together with energy efficiency measures, this will contribute to the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) defined in 2022, aiming to avoid 212,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually until 2030.
The stakeholders and beneficiaries of the components implemented by the Programme to Strengthen the Energy Transition in Bolivia – ProTransicioon include: