Millions across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) could benefit from more reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity, thanks to the European Union (EU) backed Regional Electricity Integration initiative. At the Global Gateway Forum, the EU and its LAC partners presented their plan to advance deeper collaboration under this initiative. This is a key step towards building a progressively interconnected continental electricity market that delivers reliable clean energy and strengthens regional unity through stronger national grids and cross-border electricity connections.
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Our sustainable future depends not only on producing clean energy, but also on distributing it effectively - where it is most needed - to unlock its full potential for people, businesses, and communities. This project is about building a reliable electricity network across Latin America and the Caribbean, and we will continue to support its development through technical assistance and investment mobilisation together with European and Latin American financial institutions.”
Electricity transmission is essential for deploying renewables on a large scale. Yet many countries in the region face barriers. From outdated infrastructure to fragmented markets, these challenges limit progress.
To address these, the EU is offering a dual approach:
- Technical assistance and capacity building channelled through EU-funded facilities to support planning, regulatory harmonisation and the construction of electricity transmission and renewable energy infrastructures.
- Investment mobilisation through 24 dedicated projects benefiting countries across the region, including Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Suriname.
This initiative brings together the EU, its Member States - Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain - and the European Investment Bank in partnership with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Latin American Energy Organisation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The coordinated effort aims to enhance grid efficiency, resilience and security, improve cost-effectiveness and optimise investment, while strengthening cooperation on regional infrastructure planning and regulatory alignment. The initiative will also accelerate the use of renewable energy sources, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Background
Global Gateway Forum
The Global Gateway Forum brings together an assembly of leaders from the European Union and across the globe, alongside key stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, thought leaders, financial institutions, and international organisations to promote global investment in infrastructure - hard and soft - to deliver on the SDGs and sustainable growth and resilience worldwide.
Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the EU's positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.
The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions. Together, we aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.
For more information
Details
- Publication date
- 10 October 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for International Partnerships