The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), through the Global Energy Districts Programme (GEDP), and the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) have signed a cooperation framework to promote the development of energy districts in Latin America and the Caribbean. This alliance was formalized by Andrés Rebolledo Smitmans, Executive Secretary of OLACDE, and Rana Ghoneim, Director of UNIDO’s Energy and Climate Action Division, establishing a joint roadmap to strengthen the enabling environment, technical knowledge, and regional market for low-emission urban and industrial energy solutions.
This cooperation framework aims to address key structural challenges in the region, such as growing energy demand, the need to decarbonize industrial processes, the rapid increase in cooling demand in tropical climates, and the urgency of scaling up the integration of renewable energy. Energy districts—integrated systems that combine energy generation, storage, and efficient distribution in urban or industrial areas—can improve efficiency by 30% to 50%, reduce emissions, and optimize services such as heating, cooling, and industrial energy supply.
The partnership will initially be implemented between 2026 and 2027 and will focus on four main areas: support for public policy and institutional frameworks; knowledge sustainability and capacity building; market identification and analysis; and regional positioning through events and technical missions.
Through this collaboration, OLACDE and UNIDO will establish a regional knowledge hub, organize seminars and technical publications, promote collaboration with universities, and facilitate public policy dialogues with member countries—contributing to regional energy integration and the achievement of climate commitments.
“We are taking a strategic step to scale up proven energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions across Latin America and the Caribbean. Through the Global Energy Districts Programme, UNIDO aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks, technical capacities, and investment opportunities that enable cities and industries in the region to move towards more resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon energy systems,” said Rana Ghoneim, Director of UNIDO’s Energy and Climate Action Division.