Renewable Energy in Central America

A holistic approach for the assessment of renewable energy sources indispensable for its sustainable development and use includes a variety of topics that needs to be investigated: from environmental and societal issues to developing tools to master the r ecently opened common energy market in Central America. Coordination of the research efforts between the Norwegian and Central American partners and also among the partners in Central America is a necessary premise for a success in assessing the topics ab ove. A structure for cooperation between research and operational institutes in both Norway and Central America needs to be thoroughly elaborated to guarantee a friction free work (e.g. access to national and institutional data). The importance and compl exity of these tasks call for a project establishment phase. This phase will include elaboration of the following topics: 1. Identification/confirmation of the key topics of mutual interest. 2. Discussion of the frame for joint research initiatives. 3. Di scussion of resources necessary (staff and costs). 4. Identification of responsibilities and a steering group for the project. 5. Discussion of the information and data available for the study and data policies. 6. Preparation of application. Discussion o f the topics above would be facilitated by at least one meeting in Central America with participation of Norwegian and Central American partners to initiate the process of preparation of the application. This meeting will be followed by internet conferenc es and electronic communication in the whole process of preparation. A coordination of this work requires an input from one person corresponding to at least one month by the Norwegian partner (with the knowledge of Spanish).