The U.S. - Central American Renewable Energy Forum (CAREF III) took place on June 20, 2011 at the Coundil of the Americas in New York. In support of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), CAREF seeks to encourage dialogue, and partner current and potential private sector investors with Central American energy ministers to promote renewable energy technologies. Similar to previous CAREF roundtables, CAREF III was meant to foster an open discussion on obstacles and opportunities for regulatory reforms to support clean energy and served as a venue to share best practices to encourage private investment in renewable energy. The Organization of American States, and the Council of the Americas were partners in this event. 

The overall objective of the forum was to identify and address obstacles to increased use of renewable energy in Central America. The specific goal of CAREF III was to deepen the dialogue and understanding of regulatory reform and best practices for renewable energy in the region. CAREF III, focused on regulatory reforms needed to encourage regional renewable energy investment, including in the regional power market. Philippe Benoit of The World Bank and other regional experts presented on the obstacles to regulatory reform and on some of the best practices that have been successful in creating the framework needed to encourage private stakeholders to invest in clean energy projects. Former Chilean Minister of Energy Marcelo Tokman also provided insights from the Chilean regulatory model.

Presentations:
Keynote: A Regional Model for Renewable Regulation
Marcelo Tokman, Former Minister of Energy, Chile

World Bank: A Pathway Towards Development of Renewables in Central America
Philippe Benoit, Sector Manager on Latin American and Caribbean Sustainable Development

This event, attended by the participants listed here, was followed by a Renewable Energy Finance Forum Conference held on June 21-22 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.