Tesla – Energy trajectories and transition in the Alps and Andes

Mountain regions are at the crossroads of this dual challenge, as they are both privileged sites for energy production and constrained consumers. They must therefore respond to multiple challenges: resource development, sustainability and energy sovereignty for production and equitable distribution, rational use and security of supply for service.

The Andes are a source of materials needed for the production of energy equipment (lithium for batteries, copper for power transmission lines) in sparsely populated, isolated areas, where renewable energies are a solution for supplying energy services, both for relatively poor populations and for large-scale consumers such as mines.

The Alps are anchored in a transition trajectory through historic hydroelectric production, and are home to industrial and scientific activity relating to renewable energies, such as solar panel manufacturing, solar and battery research (Ines) and technical innovations on networks. In these consolidated territories, connected to the national energy grid, commitment is increasingly strong, linked to environmental awareness and support mechanisms for implementing the transition.

In the Alps and Andes – areas with different socio-economic characteristics and scales – energy transitions describe trajectories articulated by common actors and objectives, aimed at strengthening productive activities and energy services.