Regional energy security : re-evaluating concepts and policies to promote energy integration in Mercosur

Abstract

This thesis presents an overview of concepts and policies related to energy security and regional integration. Follows a proposal that energy planning in developing countries becomes regional, incorporating both social and environmental dimensions of energy. Focusing on Mercosur countries, including Venezuela (2012) and Bolivia (2015), a general comparative analysis is carried out, not only in quantitative and qualitative terms of the markets, but also of the physical infrastructure of the member countries (and of South America, as a whole). Then, comes an analysis of the role that regional institutions, such as Mercosur and UNASUR, have played in energy integration, showing that their contribution is very small. Next, a hybrid index (SEES index) is proposed to assess the evolution of Mercosur’s energy policies in the period 1990-2010. Follows the application of OSeMOSYS-SAMBA model to simulate four scenarios for the integration of the power sector, used to illustrate the case due to its relevance. Finally, we conclude that Mercosur’s energy integration should be promoted, since it reduces both the need to invest in the extansions of power supply and the socio-environmental impacts associated to electricity projects in the region.