A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques

This paper employs a new framework based on internationally available indicators to conduct a comparative analysis of electricity generation among Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, using data from 2021, the most recent available. Two multivariate techniques, cluster analysis and factor a...

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Main Authors: Álvaro González-Lorente, Montserrat Hernández-López, Francisco Javier Martín-Álvarez, Javier Mendoza-Jiménez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-10-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024153352
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author Álvaro González-Lorente
Montserrat Hernández-López
Francisco Javier Martín-Álvarez
Javier Mendoza-Jiménez
author_facet Álvaro González-Lorente
Montserrat Hernández-López
Francisco Javier Martín-Álvarez
Javier Mendoza-Jiménez
author_sort Álvaro González-Lorente
collection DOAJ
description This paper employs a new framework based on internationally available indicators to conduct a comparative analysis of electricity generation among Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, using data from 2021, the most recent available. Two multivariate techniques, cluster analysis and factor analysis, are used in this study. In recent years, electricity generation in the region has increased significantly, largely driven by the economic growth of these nations. A notable trend is the rising contribution of renewable energy sources, which accounted for 55 % of total generation in 2021, thanks to the region's exceptional climatic and geographic conditions. However, the absence of overarching supranational policies has led to significant disparities in energy strategies across these countries, both in design and implementation. Among the 20 LAC countries studied, 35 % do not reach a 50 % share of sustainable electricity generation. Understanding how these countries group regarding sustainable electricity generation is essential for identifying their key characteristics. The analysis yields three fundamental conclusions: first, the selected indicators are highly effective in achieving the study's objectives; second, the principal differences between the identified groups are largely influenced by each country's level of development and reliance on renewable energy sources; and third, from a policy perspective, there is a clear need for a supranational framework to support the national efforts and strategies being independently pursued by these countries, particularly regarding the design and implementation of energy policies. This paper contributes to bridging the gap in the international academic literature concerning sustainable electricity generation in LAC region, and it aligns with studies focused on the analysis of renewable energy sources and sustainable development.
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publishDate 2024-10-01
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spelling doaj-art-5ca1b93f3b9a4b728ff59aedc25701f02024-11-12T05:20:19ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-10-011020e39304A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniquesÁlvaro González-Lorente0Montserrat Hernández-López1Francisco Javier Martín-Álvarez2Javier Mendoza-Jiménez3Departamento de Economía Aplicada y Métodos Cuantitativos, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, SpainDepartamento de Economía Aplicada y Métodos Cuantitativos, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, SpainDepartamento de Economía Aplicada y Métodos Cuantitativos, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, SpainDepartamento de Dirección de Empresas e Historia Económica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Instituto Universitario de la Empresa, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Corresponding author. Departamento de Dirección de Empresas e Historia Económica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.This paper employs a new framework based on internationally available indicators to conduct a comparative analysis of electricity generation among Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, using data from 2021, the most recent available. Two multivariate techniques, cluster analysis and factor analysis, are used in this study. In recent years, electricity generation in the region has increased significantly, largely driven by the economic growth of these nations. A notable trend is the rising contribution of renewable energy sources, which accounted for 55 % of total generation in 2021, thanks to the region's exceptional climatic and geographic conditions. However, the absence of overarching supranational policies has led to significant disparities in energy strategies across these countries, both in design and implementation. Among the 20 LAC countries studied, 35 % do not reach a 50 % share of sustainable electricity generation. Understanding how these countries group regarding sustainable electricity generation is essential for identifying their key characteristics. The analysis yields three fundamental conclusions: first, the selected indicators are highly effective in achieving the study's objectives; second, the principal differences between the identified groups are largely influenced by each country's level of development and reliance on renewable energy sources; and third, from a policy perspective, there is a clear need for a supranational framework to support the national efforts and strategies being independently pursued by these countries, particularly regarding the design and implementation of energy policies. This paper contributes to bridging the gap in the international academic literature concerning sustainable electricity generation in LAC region, and it aligns with studies focused on the analysis of renewable energy sources and sustainable development.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024153352C38Q01Q20Q42
spellingShingle Álvaro González-Lorente
Montserrat Hernández-López
Francisco Javier Martín-Álvarez
Javier Mendoza-Jiménez
A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques
Heliyon
C38
Q01
Q20
Q42
title A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques
title_full A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques
title_fullStr A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques
title_full_unstemmed A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques
title_short A comparative analysis of electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean using multivariate techniques
title_sort comparative analysis of electricity generation in latin america and the caribbean using multivariate techniques
topic C38
Q01
Q20
Q42
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024153352
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