The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is spearheading efforts to promote ethanol blending across Central America and the Caribbean, reinforcing the region's commitment to sustainable energy and reducing transportation emissions. These initiatives were showcased at the third "Cultivando Energía" (Growing Energy) conference, held last week at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Costa Rica.
More than 80 biofuel specialists, along with public and private sector authorities from countries including Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama, gathered to explore the future of biofuels, particularly ethanol, in advancing agro-industrial growth and meeting carbon-reduction targets.
USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand emphasized the Council's dedication to supporting the region's energy transformation and praised Costa Rica’s leadership in promoting ethanol blending. "We cannot limit ourselves to wishing for increased food production or relying on impractical solutions. It is essential to create sustainable markets through successful agriculture," LeGrand said.
The conference featured insights from around the world. USGC's Southeast Asia and Oceania Regional Director Caleb Wurth shared ethanol blending practices from the Philippines, while South Asia Director Reece Cannady highlighted developments in India. U.S. experts, including Ron Lamberty from the American Coalition for Ethanol and Alex Buck from Iowa Corn, provided a closer look at the U.S. experience with ethanol blending.
Energy leaders from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama outlined their national biofuel strategies during a panel discussion. Costa Rica's Vice Minister of Energy, Ronny Rodríguez, spoke about the nation’s goal of achieving a 10% ethanol blend in premium gasoline by 2026. Guatemala and Panama also set ambitious targets, with both countries aiming to implement ethanol blending in the next two years.
The conference concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the USGC and IICA. The agreement highlights biofuels' vital role in the energy transition and commits both organizations to providing the necessary training and expertise to support policy development. IICA Director General Manuel Otero stressed the importance of collaboration in turning these discussions into actionable public policies.
LeGrand and USGC Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Marri Tejada also met with Costa Rica's Vice President Stephan Brunner and IICA Deputy Director Lloyd Day to discuss further collaboration on policies to enhance ethanol use and promote agricultural growth in Costa Rica.
This event represents a significant step forward in the region's transition to cleaner energy sources, with ethanol blending seen as a key driver of both sustainability and economic development.
