The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) participated in IRENA Innovation Week 2025, an international gathering held from June 10 to 13 in Bonn, Germany. The event, organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), brought together decision-makers, experts, and global energy sector representatives to address key challenges and opportunities in technological and systemic innovation aimed at accelerating the energy transition toward a more sustainable, resilient, and people-centered energy system.

In this context, Ms. Marina Gil, energy specialist from ECLAC’s Natural Resources Division, participated as a panelist in the session “Planning for the Future: Demand-side narratives and scenarios,” co-organized by IRENA and the Stockholm Environment Institute. The session focused on how countries can integrate new demand-centered narratives into their long-term energy planning processes, considering the technological, economic, and social transformations that are reshaping energy consumption patterns.

ECLAC presented the progress and challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean in incorporating demand-side approaches into energy planning. It was noted that although the region has traditionally prioritized supply expansion, growing efforts are now underway to incorporate energy efficiency policies, end-use electrification, and demand response strategies.

Examples of progressive policies in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico were highlighted, along with the role of the Regional Forum of Energy Planners (FOREPLEN). Created in 2018 and coordinated by ECLAC, this forum fosters methodological strengthening, technical cooperation, and peer learning among countries in the region to enhance institutional energy planning capacities.

ECLAC also shared reflections on emerging regional trends that influence energy demand, such as electrification of end uses, sectoral energy efficiency, and energy community management. It emphasized the need to move toward intersectoral and flexible energy planning models that incorporate these measures and promote citizen participation.

Innovation Week also included key sessions on energy storage, people-centered planning, digital grids, artificial intelligence, innovation financing, and flexibility management in power systems. All these topics aim to support a new energy paradigm rooted in sustainability, climate resilience, and equity.

ECLAC’s participation in this forum reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional energy planning capacities and to promoting approaches that place capacity building at the core of a just energy transition.