On 8–9 September 2026, the Regional Power Transmission Acceleration Platform (PTAP) brought together regulators, governments, transmission companies, system operators, investors and technology providers in Panama City to identify best practices for modernising the region’s power grids. Under the theme, “Building the Networks of the Future: Transmission for Energy Security and Regional Resilience,” the PTAP, an initiative by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), supports countries in identifying and removing barriers that constrain the development of transmission infrastructure.
Latin America and the Caribbean are facing increasing pressure to expand and modernise their power transmission networks due to demand growth, the incorporation of variable renewable generation, electrification of new sectors of consumption and extreme weather events. Investment in transmission infrastructure is needed as several countries are already facing consequences due to delayed network expansion such as congestion, higher operating costs, restrictions on the integration of new renewables, and reduced climate resilience.
The two-day event analysed the main challenges countries face in accelerating investment in electricity transmission as well as barriers to network expansion related to regulation, financing and transmission planning through six different panels. Opening remarks were given by Aura Caraballo, President of CECACIER (CECACIER), who emphasised transmission as a key element for the region’s energy security, resilience, and competitiveness.
Michael Mechlinski, Coordinator Latin America at GET.transform and GET.invest, presented on the panel “Financing and Bankability of Transmission Projects” about the challenges and opportunities for mobilising financing for transmission infrastructure, including public and private models and blended finance. He highlighted the importance of clear frameworks, risk allocation and project preparation for turning grid priorities into investable projects. allocation and project preparation for turning grid priorities into investable projects. Experts Rafael de Sa Ferreira, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank Group (WBG), Ángel Eduardo Cárdenas, Manager of Infrastructure for Development at Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Vladimir Olarte, Head of Energy at IDB Invest, and Carlos Jácome, Lead Energy Specialist at IDB also participated in the panel, moderated by Ana Beatriz Sánchez Melgar, Executive Director of Guatemalan Association of Electricity Transmission Companies (AGTE).
The discussions highlighted technological solutions to increase power grid capacity and mitigate impacts associated with insufficient transmission infrastructure. Public and private organisations shared lessons learned for reducing project costs and implementation timelines as well as increasing investment during planning and operation. Different countries reported on scenario-based planning, the integration of climate resilience criteria and the identification of strategic transmission corridors to strengthen transmission planning.
36 participating organisations from Latin America and the Caribbean were represented, including the WBG, National Energy Secretariat of Honduras (SEN), National Energy Secretariat of Panama (SNE), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Interconexión Colombia–Panamá (ICP) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE).
The event concluded with possible next steps including opportunities for technical cooperation and potential pilot projects associated with PTAP to accelerate transmission investments.
