Renewable Energy in South & Central America: Emerging Markets Still Under the Radar
Latin America is often celebrated for its clean-energy leadership — from solar deserts and hydropower giants to energy-transition policies in larger economies. But across the region, a second wave of markets is quietly accelerating. These countries are under-reported, under-indexed in search, and present major opportunities for developers, EPC groups, OEMs and investors.
Below are the renewable-energy markets in South & Central America that deserve far more attention. For companies operating in the region, exploring Renewable Energy recruitment, Engineering capabilities, and Payroll & EOR services is essential when scaling projects across diverse geographies.
1. Uruguay – South America’s Hidden Green Powerhouse
Uruguay often disappears behind larger regional players, yet it has one of the highest renewable-energy penetration rates in the world.
- 94–98% of electricity already coming from renewables (wind, solar, biomass)
- A new wave of repowering for older wind assets
- Green-hydrogen development zones and export potential
2. Paraguay – The Hydropower Giant Nobody Talks About
Paraguay is a global outlier with enormous hydropower output, attracting energy-intensive industries and new investment interest.
3. Bolivia – Untapped Solar and Lithium-Powered Growth
Bolivia combines strong solar resources with major lithium reserves, creating long-term demand for engineering, grid, and EPC expertise.
4. Honduras – A Quiet Central American Renewable Hub
Often overshadowed by neighbouring markets, Honduras has some of Central America’s strongest solar-irradiance corridors and growing interest from investors.
5. El Salvador – Small Market, Big Geothermal Leadership
El Salvador is one of the region’s most advanced geothermal producers — a standout niche within Latin America’s broader energy transition.
6. Nicaragua – An Energy-Transition Story Few Are Covering
Despite political complexity, Nicaragua’s renewable-energy growth spans wind repowering, mini-grids, and biomass opportunities.
7. Guyana – The Renewable Side Behind the Oil Boom
Guyana’s oil success often overshadows its renewable-energy efforts, which include major solar expansion and geothermal exploration.
8. Suriname – Serious Hydropower and Solar Potential
Suriname relies on hydropower but is rapidly expanding solar generation, including hybrid systems for mining and remote communities.
9. The Wider Caribbean – Under-Served Microgrid and Hybrid Projects
Across smaller islands, renewable-energy momentum is driven by microgrids, battery stabilisation projects, and hybrid solar-diesel systems.
Why These Markets Matter for Talent Strategy
These markets share critical themes: limited local technical talent, accelerated project timelines, and strong demand for cross-border specialists. Organisations expanding into these regions benefit from a solid foundation in LATAM recruitment solutions and scalable EOR and payroll models to mobilise engineering and project teams.
Effective planning across engineering disciplines, talent mobility, and regulatory payroll compliance will shape success across the next decade of energy transition in Latin America.
