PUNTA CANA, La Altagracia. - The Dominican Republic signed two memorandums of understanding with Chile and Panama on Thursday during the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) to strengthen bilateral cooperation, combat climate change and its effects, contribute to energy security, and improve environmental quality.
These two-year agreements seek the comprehensive use of energy resources for present and future generations under the criteria of transparency and environmental, economic, and social sustainability. They also promote actions that contribute to these countries' ability to implement public policies based on possibilities and needs in their respective sectors. Panama and Chile have established a similar agreement, strengthening regional cooperation.
With the signing of these agreements, a commitment is established to share experiences and best practices in critical areas such as energy planning and policies, energy transition, strengthening of the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework, and the decarbonization of the generation matrix. In addition, producing electricity from non-conventional renewable sources, energy efficiency and rational energy use, storage systems, and digitalization of energy systems and smart grids will be promoted.
The Dominican Minister of Energy and Mines, Antonio Almonte, represented the country in these critical signings. On behalf of the Chilean government, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy, Luis Felipe Andrés Ramos Barrera, signed the bill, while Rosilena Ivette Lindo Riggs, Executive Secretary of the National Secretariat of Energy, signed on behalf of Panama. These agreements mark a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for these nations.
Minister Almonte expressed his satisfaction with the agreement with Chile, highlighting the continued collaboration in critical areas such as regulation, bidding, and capacity building.
He stressed that Chile has been a pioneer and successful producer of clean energy, "and this memorandum of understanding reinforces the collaboration we have maintained for many years."
Meanwhile, Chile's Undersecretary of Energy emphasized the importance of the agreement in strengthening cooperation and bilateral relations. "I hope we can continue to deepen ties and enhance joint capabilities for the benefit of both countries."
These agreements aim to explore technologies under development and research, mainly green hydrogen, and identify opportunities and incentives linked to its development, distributed generation, and energy and power supply tenders.
The modalities of cooperation will include the exchange of experiences, information, and knowledge, the joint development of proposals or projects, training programs, and technical and legal assistance. These joint efforts aim to strengthen and sustain regional energy integration.
Chile's experience
Chile has implemented an ambitious Green Hydrogen Strategy to activate its domestic industry and develop exports. This strategy seeks to scale to conquer global markets and establish Chile as the country with the highest investments in green hydrogen in Latin America and a world leader in electrolysis production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
At the same time, Chile is implementing a National Energy Policy that sets substantive targets to promote gender equality within the sector. The policy is designed to close existing gender gaps by implementing programs encouraging women's equitable and sustainable incorporation in energy industries. In addition, affirmative action is being taken to challenge gender stereotypes and biases, ensuring inclusive progress at all levels of the energy sector.
Panama moves forward
After signing two agreements with the Dominican Republic and Chile, the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Panama, Rosilena Lindo, expressed her joy at continuing to create interconnection spaces with countries with such good relations.
She said Chile inspired them and that the signed agreement represents an opportunity to continue developing appropriate policies, in green hydrogen.
The agreement establishes that Panama is at the forefront of sustainability, outlining its Green Hydrogen Roadmap and aspiring to become the Global Green Hydrogen Route par excellence. This ambitious project includes developing policies and regulations and promoting investments in infrastructure for the production and storage of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
He adds that with a sharp vision towards decarbonization, Panama also offers low-emission logistics services, contributing significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases in maritime, air, and land transport, as well as in national and regional industries.
The signed agreements include the designation of a responsible counterparty tasked with monitoring, supporting, and coordinating the activities necessary to ensure compliance with the agreed terms during their two-year validity period.
The signing of these commitments took place at the convention center where the activity takes place, with the presence of energy ministers and government delegates from the United States, as well as representatives of the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Development and World Banks, among other cooperation and development entities.
EN 
ES