{"id":62061,"date":"2026-03-31T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/?p=62061"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:24:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T21:24:17","slug":"oil-gas-and-sun-how-venezuela-is-building-its-own-roadmap-toward-energy-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/en\/oil-gas-and-sun-how-venezuela-is-building-its-own-roadmap-toward-energy-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"Oil, Gas, and Sun: How Venezuela Is Building Its Own Roadmap Toward Energy Integration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Within the framework of the webinar \u201cLATAM: 2026 Roadmap for Mobility and Energy,\u201d<\/strong> organized by Latam Mobility<\/strong>, the third panel\u2014\u201cVenezuela: Energy Transition, Risks, and Windows of Opportunity Toward 2026\u201d<\/strong>\u2014brought together prominent experts from Venezuela’s energy sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversation, moderated by Ronaldo Sandoval<\/strong>, Director of EvolvX<\/strong>, focused on the present and future of the energy transition in a country historically tied to fossil fuels, but one with enormous potential to diversify its energy matrix and join the region’s sustainable mobility movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel featured Evelyn Quintero<\/strong> (Business Developer at PetroRenova<\/strong>), Geinny L\u00f3pez<\/strong> (Academic Researcher at IESA<\/strong>), and Luis Mar\u00edn<\/strong> (Consultant Specialist in Energy at Gas Energy Latin America<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts agreed that Venezuela is at an early but opportunity-rich moment<\/strong>, where energy integration, modernization of the electrical system, and investment in infrastructure will be decisive in scaling toward a more sustainable model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also be interested in | S\u00e3o Paulo to Host \u201cLatam Mobility & Net Zero Brasil 2026,\u201d the Premier Regional Gathering for Sustainable Mobility<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Energy Matrix with Potential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The conversation opened with a snapshot of Venezuela\u2019s energy mix. Geinny L\u00f3pez<\/strong> pointed out that the country currently generates 70% of its electricity from hydroelectric plants<\/strong> (mainly the Guri complex) and 30% from thermoelectric plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere we see a need and a demand to modernize the electrical system so it can handle the intermittency of renewables,\u201d she explained, echoing ECLAC <\/strong>reports on regional energy integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luis Mar\u00edn<\/strong> added that the deepest needs aren\u2019t so much in generation, but in transmission and distribution<\/strong>. \u201cWe can have generation at full capacity, but if the power doesn\u2019t reach consumption centers, the problem remains,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mar\u00edn also put a striking figure on the table: Venezuela\u2019s oil sector will need around 20,000 additional MW<\/strong> to reach projected production levels\u2014requiring parallel and robust growth of the electrical system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evelyn Quintero<\/strong> provided encouraging data: in 2023, 77% of Venezuela\u2019s electricity came from renewable sources<\/strong> (mostly hydro). However, she noted that solar and wind are still marginal, though investments are beginning to arrive from companies looking to maintain oil production under ESG criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVenezuela <\/strong>is going to scale up in that matrix because the world needs it. Our oil has to be produced in the most environmentally friendly way possible,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ronaldo Sandoval, Luis Mar\u00edn (up) and Geinny L\u00f3pez, Evelyn Quintero (down)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From Solar Communities to Electric Mobility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the challenges, panelists highlighted concrete initiatives already underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geinny L\u00f3pez<\/strong> mentioned autonomous solar systems in neighboring communities, especially in indigenous and border regions like the Guajira Peninsula<\/strong>, where around 20,000 solar systems<\/strong> are expected to be installed. These projects not only address electricity supply but also ensure access to water through solar pumping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On sustainable mobility, L\u00f3pez highlighted the role of companies like Verdi<\/strong> and Swing Energy<\/strong>, which are developing EV charging infrastructure, though still concentrated in major cities like Caracas. \u201cInvestment in this sector comes mainly from the private sector,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luis Mar\u00edn<\/strong> added that during the pandemic, Venezuela experienced a fuel availability crisis that boosted interest in electric alternatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe most expensive fuel is the one you don\u2019t have. Important electric mobility projects emerged anchored to the national system, but still without their own generation matrix,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Gas: The Transition Fuel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most emphasized points was the role of natural gas as a bridge toward a cleaner energy matrix<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luis Mar\u00edn<\/strong> stressed that natural gas projects are between four and six times more economical than renewables<\/strong>, and that Venezuela has sufficient reserves to leverage this transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Gas Energy Latin America<\/strong>, Mar\u00edn noted they are promoting projects for diversification, massification, and substitution of liquid fossil fuels (like diesel) with natural gas\u2014especially in sectors like agribusiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have the reserves, and there are sectors that need that energy to develop. Currently, they consume fuels that don\u2019t guarantee energy security,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mar\u00edn also highlighted successful regional experiences that could be replicated in Venezuela<\/strong>, such as the use of liquefied natural gas in transportation fleets in Chile <\/strong>(Nest\u00e9<\/strong>) or the development of small-scale LNG in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talent, Training, and Alliances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The panelists agreed that Venezuelan talent is a fundamental asset for driving the energy transition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evelyn Quintero<\/strong> emphasized that PetroRenova<\/strong> has promoted alliances with universities like the University of Zulia (LUZ)<\/strong> and has closely followed academic initiatives like the sustainability congress at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel that (the matrix) is moving. Everyone is looking in that direction, even the oil industry, and that is extremely relevant,\u201d she stated. Quintero also noted that PetroRenova has more than 11,000 followers on LinkedIn<\/strong>, establishing itself as a channel for sustainability initiatives both inside and outside the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geinny L\u00f3pez<\/strong> contributed the perspective from IESA<\/strong>, where they design diplomas, programs, and master\u2019s degrees in energy and environment, and are developing new programs to meet market needs as international companies arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is very important to encourage investment in research and development. From academia we can provide advice and expert guidance for the integration of new players into the Venezuelan market,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Investment and Regional Cooperation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the central themes was the need for investment and international cooperation<\/strong> to accelerate the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evelyn Quintero<\/strong> mentioned that an estimated investment of around $150 million is needed in renewable infrastructure<\/strong>\u2014a figure that opens the door to participation by multilateral banks and international organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luis Mar\u00edn<\/strong> invited participants to look at the region as a source of learning and collaboration. From Gas Energy<\/strong>, he highlighted that they have offices in Caracas, Lima, and presence in the Southern Cone, allowing them to transfer knowledge and best practices between countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeru has known how to develop its natural gas reserves to serve the domestic and export market. It\u2019s an example we can study,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Small Ecosystem That Makes Noise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ronaldo Sandoval<\/strong> closed the panel by highlighting that Venezuela has a geography \u201cblessed\u201d for renewable energy development<\/strong>\u2014from the solar belt to the winds of Guajira that exceed 28 m\/s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have opportunities in our geography that we can replicate. There is Venezuelan talent scattered around the world, and it is well known that it has been trained abroad and that IESA continues to train,\u201d reflected Evelyn Quintero<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main takeaways from the panel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Venezuela has a predominantly renewable energy matrix (70% hydroelectric)<\/strong> , but faces critical challenges in transmission and distribution that require urgent investment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Natural gas is emerging as the most viable transition fuel<\/strong>, with projects that can be up to six times more economical than large-scale renewables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sustainable mobility in Venezuela is incipient but has potential<\/strong>, led by the private sector with concrete examples in charging infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Talent and training are fundamental pillars.<\/strong> Universities, think tanks, and entrepreneurs are building the foundations for a solid transition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Regional cooperation is key.<\/strong> Successful experiences in Chile, Peru, and Brazil can be adapted (\u201ctropicalized\u201d) to the Venezuelan context.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n