Promoting private sector investments in energy efficiency in the industrial sector and in Paraguay

Reducing reliance on fuelwood and other fossil fuel energy sources by Paraguayan SMEs, increasing their energy efficiency and shifting energy use to renewable hydropower.

Paraguay has a high hydropower capacity, yet industry is largely powered by traditionally inexpensive fuelwood (constituting 83 percent of industrial energy use), causing large amount of emissions from wood burning and associated deforestation. Hydropower is being increased as part of the country's long-term renewable energy goal. At the same time, zero deforestation laws in several regions have increased the price of fuelwood, a trend that is likely to continue. Despite these developments, SMEs are still largely using biomass, and opportunities exist to shift their energy use to renewable sources in order to reduce emissions.

Tools will be developed to generate an enabling environment for energy efficiency investments by SMEs, including standardized performance contracts, insurance contracts, and monitoring and verification systems. Concessional credit lines will be provided to local financial institutions and SMEs, whilst support will facilitate positive institutional, policy and regulatory environments for energy efficiency investments.

The project has an estimated lifespan of 5 years.