LA PAZ, April 2 (NNN-TELESUR) — Bolivia is planning to adopt an ambitious climate change programme to generate 500 megawatts (MW) through renewable technology such as wind and solar energy.
The Government of Bolivia promotes environmental initiatives and expects to generate 500 megawatts (MW) in the next few years through alternative energies, said the Vice Minister of Electricity and Alternative Energies, Bismar Canelas.
“We will aim to implement about 350 additional megawatts in the coming year. We will try to reach 500 megawatts in alternative or renewable energies,” declared the Vice Minister during an interview with journalists.
Canelas explained that currently in Bolivia more than 100 MW are generated as follows: 27 MW from the wind farm programme in Colpana, 60 MW from the Uyuni wind park, and 30 MW produced from the biomass. It is expected to generate 350 megawatts more with the national projects the government is aiming to implement.
According to the government plan, it is anticipated to generate 100 MW thanks to wind and solar energy of the Laguna Colorada and 100 MW with renewable and wind energy, among the most important projects to be developed in the following months.
On last February, president Evo Morales announced the construction of three wind power parks in 2019, after he signed a Supreme Decree to authorize a credit agreement with the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
Warnes, San Julián and El Dorado’s winds parks, all located in the department of Santa Cruz, will generate 108 MW, which will allow exporting electricity into the next year.
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales did not silence his commitment to climate change and the fight against global warming. In an audience of indigenous groups and farmers, environmental groups and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a conference on climate change in the Bolivian town of Tiquipaya, he declared that “Capitalism is like a cancer for Mother Earth.”
Since Evo Morales took office in 2006, renewable power generation almost tripled, from 750 MW to 2100 MW.
The Bolivian government is currently developing other climate change projects in order to be able to generate around 9000 MW by 2025 with thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants. — NNN-TELESUR
