Energy by the numbers

10%

Latin America and the Caribbean could cut their electricity consumption by 10 percent over the next decade by adopting widely available energy-efficient technologies. Such a reduction could save the region $36 billion in investments that would otherwise have to be made to expand its power generation capacity.

$3 billion

The IDB plans to double its lending capacity for clean and sustainable energy to $3 billion a year by 2012. This increase reflects both the Bank’s expanded capital base and the growing demand for financing for energy-related projects from borrowing member countries.

6 in 10

The IDB pioneered lighting efficiency programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, where there is an explosive demand for efficient light bulbs. In Peru, in 2010, 60 percent of all light bulbs in use were compact fluorescent – nearly double the percentage in the United States.