About WECDataWork ProgrammePublications EventsNewsPartners
Latin America / the Caribbean    Article by Mr. Norberto de
Franco Medeiros  Energy consumption is widely accepted as a good
indicator of economic development. In general, this means the
higher the energy consumption, the higher the per capita income
and, consequently, the lower the poverty index.  This
understanding formed the backbone of energy policies in the
developing countries after World War II: modern energy sources
should be available, generated at low cost through energy
infrastructure for which the government is responsible, with
monopolistic suppliers.  In order to adapt to the globalized
economy, the emerging nations implemented sweeping reforms in
their energy areas during the 1990s. Weak economic performances
by government monopolies led to institutional reforms, with
privatization and competition replacing government monopolies.
It was assumed that these changes would result in lower prices
and better power supplies. But just a few ye