Power System Economics and Gas-to-Energy Decisions
Hotel Riu Plaza Panama, Panama City,
8-10 September 2026
Power systems across Latin America, Caribbean and other small to medium-sized markets are entering a critical transition phase.
Many systems remain heavily dependent on oil-fired generation, resulting in high and volatile electricity costs, fuel supply vulnerabilities, and persistent fiscal pressure. At the same time, rapid cost declines in solar PV, wind and battery storage have created significant opportunities to reduce system costs and improve energy security.
However, increasing renewable penetration also introduces new system-level challenges. As energy from renewables grows, the key issues shift from energy supply to capacity adequacy, flexibility, reserve margins and system reliability. These residual system needs cannot be addressed by renewables alone and require careful consideration of thermal generation options, including Gas-to-Energy (GtE).
Gas-to-Energy can play a critical role in the transition from oil-based generation toward a lower-cost, lower-carbon power system. However, gas is not automatically the least-cost solution. Successful GtE strategies depend on appropriate sizing, correct sequencing of investments, and realistic assumptions regarding utilisation in a renewables-led system.
This three-day intensive Master Class provides a practical, decision-focused framework for policymakers, utilities, regulators, developers, investors and fuel suppliers, etc. It focuses on evaluating the role of renewables, storage and thermal generation in small and medium-sized systems, and on making robust investment and contracting decisions under uncertainty.
The course is highly interactive and built around real-world examples, case studies and applied exercises relevant to Caribbean, Latin America and similar markets.
Led by an International Expert
Kim Keats-Martínez
- Partner, K4K Training & Advisory, Spain
- Former Head of Power and Fuels, London, ICF International
- 25 years of international experience, widely recognised for developing practical modelling frameworks
Course Format
This is a three-day intensive executive-level workshop delivered in a highly interactive format. The training combines:
- Instructor-led modules
- Interactive discussions
- Applied case studies
- Decision exercises
- Practical planning frameworks
Indicative Case Studies include Oil-to-gas switching economics, Guyana Gas-to-Energy program, High solar PV residual load analysis, LNG supply chain options, PV + BESS vs gas peaker, and Thermal flexibility in renewables-led systems.
Participants are encouraged to bring examples from their own markets.
What You Will Be Able To Do (Learning Objectives)
- Apply least-cost planning principles in small and medium-sized systems
- Evaluate appropriate roles for gas-fired generation
- Analyse LNG, pipeline and domestic gas options
- Distinguish SRMC, LCOE and total system cost
- Identify drivers of renewable curtailment and integration costs
- Size generation capacity and fuel infrastructure appropriately
- Understand how contracting structures influence system costs
- Evaluate dispatch and utilisation risks
For a copy of the FULL AGENDA, please send email to: hayat@neo-edge.com
Or please call us at Tel: +65 +65 3100 0278
COURSE FORMAT
This course will be a highly interactive and participative workshop where participants will be encouraged to discuss their own practice and compare it to others and recognised best practice. Real projects and case studies will form an important part of the workshop and participants will be encouraged to discuss and reflect on their own organisations practices and ways to improve them.
PRE-COURSE QUESTIONNAIRE
Michael would like to customize the class based on your specific needs. Pre-Course Questionnaire will be sent to you prior to the workshop to complete. Michael will analyze in advance and address the issues during the course.
COURSE OUTLINE (3-Day)
Day 1: System Economics in Renewables-Led Market
Module 1: How Small and Medium-Sized Power Systems Really Work
- Discussion: key structural constraints in the region’s systems
Module 2: Economics of Renewables in Oil-Based Systems
- Exercise: SRMC comparison of oil vs renewables
Module 3: Storage, Flexibility and System Integration
- Exercise: storage impact on residual load and system needs
Day 2: Residual System Needs & the Role of Thermal Capacity
Module 4: Residual Load, Capacity and System Risk
- Exercise: identifying residual capacity and flexibility needs
Module 5: Thermal Capacity in a Changing System
- Discussion: changing utilisation of thermal plants with renewables
Module 6: System Economics vs. Project Economics
- Case discussion: project vs system cost trade-offs in small systems
Day 3: Gas-to-Energy Decisions in Practice
Module 7: Oil versus Gas – The Core Economic & GtE Decision
- Exercise: oil vs gas economic comparison under different utilisation assumptions
Module 8: Gas Supply Options and Risk Allocation
- Exercise: take-or-pay risk and contract alignment
Module 9: Making Gas-to-Energy Work (and Knowing When Not To)
- Case Study: gas displacing oil vs. gas crowding out renewables
Wrap up of the 3-day Workshop
For a copy of the FULL AGENDA, please send email to: hayat@neo-edge.com
Or please call us at Tel: +65 +65 3100 0278
ABOUT THE EXPERT TRAINER
- Partner, K4K Training & Advisory, Spain
- Former Head of Power and Fuels, London, ICF International
- 25 years of international experience, widely recognised for developing practical modelling frameworks
Kim Keats-Martínez is an economist specialising in power sector economics, electricity market design, and the evaluation of generation investment and contracting decisions. His work focuses on the interface between power system planning, dispatch economics, project finance, and policy design, with particular expertise in small and transitioning power systems.
He has advised governments, regulators, utilities, developers, and investors across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America on generation investment appraisal, PPA and post-PPA analysis, gas-to-power strategies, renewables integration, and least-cost transition pathways. He is widely recognised for developing practical modelling frameworks that translate rigorous economic principles into real-world investment and policy decisions.
With 25 years of experience, Kim has supported financings, re-financings, IPOs, and M&A transactions across the power and desalination sectors. His project experience includes more than 78 GW of conventional and renewable power capacity and 743 MIGD of desalination, representing an estimated transaction value of USD 48 billion.
Kim is a Partner at K4K Training & Advisory, based in Madrid, where he leads the transactions advisory practice. He began his career as a consultant at London Economics, then as Head Power and Fuels at ICF London and later as Executive Director, Head of International Infrastructure Analysis at IPA Advisory London. Over the course of his career, he has undertaken power and fuel market studies in more than 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
He has delivered training and capacity-building programmes internationally for both public and private sector participants, with a strong emphasis on practical tools, applied case studies, and decision-focused frameworks.
Kim was formerly a partner of the Electricity Policy Research Group at the University of Cambridge and continues to contribute to industry publications, conferences, and workshops. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics (with distinction) from the University of London and is bilingual in Spanish and English.
For a copy of the FULL AGENDA, please send email to: hayat@neo-edge.com
Or please call us at Tel: +65 3100 0278
This course is designed for policymakers, utilities and private-sector stakeholders involved in energy sector planning, investment and project development. Participants include (not limited to):
Public Sector
- ·Energy ministries and government agencies
- ·Regulators and tariff-setting authorities
- ·State-owned utilities and system operators
Private Sector
- Independent power producers (IPPs)
- Gas-to-power developers
- LNG developers and fuel suppliers
- Renewable energy developers
- Oil and gas companies
- EPC contractors and technology providers
Finance and Advisory
- Project finance professionals
- Investors and lenders
- Advisory firms and consultants
- Multilateral and development institutions
Or please call us at Tel: +65 +65 3100 0278
Why This Course Matters Now
The economics of power systems are changing rapidly.
Renewables are increasingly becoming the lowest-cost source of energy in many oil-based systems. However, as renewable penetration increases, energy is no longer the main challenge. Instead, system planners must address capacity adequacy, flexibility, reserve margins and reliability risks.
At the same time, many countries are considering Gas-to-Energy investments. Yet gas projects are often evaluated using project-level economics, without sufficient consideration of system-level dispatch, utilisation and long-term cost implications. This has led in some markets to:
- Over-sized thermal capacity
- Under-utilised gas infrastructure
- Higher-than-expected system costs
- Long-term fuel lock-in risks
- Misalignment between fuel contracts and system needs
The central challenge today is not whether renewables or gas are preferable, but how to integrate them effectively within a least-cost system framework.
This course provides a structured approach to:
- Understanding residual system needs after renewable deployment
- Evaluating when gas improves system outcomes – and when it does not
- Aligning thermal capacity and fuel supply with realistic dispatch patterns
- Avoiding common planning and investment pitfalls
By focusing on system economics rather than individual projects, participants gain practical tools for better decision-making in rapidly evolving power systems.
Why You Should Attend (Key Value Proposition)
- Master the real economics of renewables, storage, oil-based generation and gas-fired power
- Develop a practical framework for evaluating Gas-to-Energy investments
- Learn how to avoid common GtE pitfalls including over-sizing and fuel lock-in
- Understand the difference between project economics and system economics
- Explore LNG versus pipeline gas options and fuel contracting risks
- Strengthen ability to evaluate investment proposals and policy options
- Develop a structured approach to residual load and flexibility analysis
- Appreciate the continuing role of thermal generation in renewables-led systems
Course Format
This is a three-day intensive executive-level workshop delivered in a highly interactive format. The training combines:
- Instructor-led modules
- Interactive discussions
- Applied case studies
- Decision exercises
- Practical planning frameworks
Indicative Case Studies include Oil-to-gas switching economics, Guyana Gas-to-Energy program, High solar PV residual load analysis, LNG supply chain options, PV + BESS vs gas peaker, and Thermal flexibility in renewables-led systems.
Participants are encouraged to bring examples from their own markets.
CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
Upon the successful completion of this course, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance bearing the signatures from both The Trainer and the Course Organizer. This Certificate will testify your endeavor and serve towards your professional advancement.
For a copy of the FULL AGENDA, please send email to: hayat@neo-edge.com
Or please call us at Tel: +65 +65 3100 0278
In Partnership With
Knowledge Partner
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
OBG offers comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.
OBG’s acclaimed economic and business reports are the leading source of local and regional intelligence, while OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
Event Endorser
MCLI was established in 2004 by infrastructure investors, users and service providers on the Maputo Corridor to address constraints hindering freight movement and to market the viability of the corridor for regional trade. Its partnership of public and private sector members and proactive role has resulted in visibility, credibility and acknowledgement as a model corridor management institution.
Resulting from investment in key infrastructure, the corridor has been a powerful instrument of regional and economic integration; with over $5billion invested in the region since its inception, resultant capital flow has provided sustained economic growth on the corridor in recent years.
Inherent to MCLI’s success is its leveraging of relationships at the highest level to pursue its vision of a cost effective, reliable logistics route. www.mcli.co.za
Media Partners
CrowdReviews.com is a transparent online platform for determining which products and services are the best based on the opinion of the crowd. The crowd consists of Internet users which have experienced products and services first-hand and have an interest in letting other potential buyers their thoughts on their experience. CrowdReviews.com is driven by an algorithm allowing for both customers and providers of products and services to understand how the rankings are determined. The service can be used by potential buyers to learn more about their vendors prior to making a purchasing decision
Voicesofleaders is a global business network for top executives and companies to Meet, Share and Grow.
We empower entrepreneurs, sme’s and large businesses to succeed by providing customized business profiles by building brand reputation, boosting business potential while increasing business networking among members of VL leaders network.
The customized Business profiles allow you to: Meet top executives across a wide variety of industries, sectors and countries. Share, your business needs among members looking for specific business opportunities Grow your business network at a local and international level while increasing the possibility of creating synergies, finding partners and investors.
Proudly African is an initiative of Global Village Africa which is a marketing and business platform geared towards showcasing and harmonising Africa’s development, trade and cultural diversity to a global audience.
This is where the BEST OF AFRICA in business, government and non-profit organisations unite, promoting their vision and best practice in order to find the right customers, partnerships and joint ventures – in order to grow alongside the continent’s indisputable economic potential.
The initiative has an unstoppable magnetic presence with its ever growing country and sectoral window already in over 20 African states. We invite all leaders in business and government across Africa to showcase and integrate their visions and activities so as to promote inter-Africa trade, investment and technology transfer from around the globe
The www.gvpedia.com site was launched in 2008 so the success stories from the Best of the World print publications could all feature on an online platform. We have more than 5000 pages live and growing fast. In July 2009 we launched a partnership programme and an eBook library to GVPedia which has opened up the scope for new publishing partnerships beyond the ‘Best of Series’ with complementary books and magazines that focus on travel and business from around the world.
The Partnerships Bulletin, PPP Bulletin and P3 Bulletin are a series of magazines and websites providing in-depth updates on partnership working between the public and private sector to procure, build and manage public infrastructure.
Each hard-copy edition of P3 Bulletin (Americas) and Partnerships Bulletin (UK) includes news, interviews with the top industry figures, in-depth market reports on partnership sectors and industry authored articles covering transport, waste, education, healthcare, housing, courts and leisure. Plus, the magazine includes a Business Leads section – giving you information about projects before they are even advertised.
Subscription to all three websites also gives you unlimited access to constantly updated news stories, features and searchable Project Tracker.
The websites and magazines are essential reading for industry professionals to help them make informed decisions and remain at the cutting edge of partnerships and infrastructure business information.
Africa Investor (Ai) is a specialist investment communications firm advising governments, international organisations and businesses on communication strategies for capital market and foreign direct investments in Africa. Africa investor publishes Africa investor, the leading international newsstand magazine for Africa’s investment decision makers; maintains the Ai40 Investors’ Index, hosts the Ai Institutional Investment Summit & Awards, Ai Investment Climate Summit and Investments and Business Leader Awards and the Ai Infrastructure Investment Summit & Awards, among other events.
Animus provides an overview of Sustainability activities in Africa and the direction that has been taken by most companies. The magazine uses the CSR analysis approach to validate the sustainability of various projects underway at any stage of implementation. We provide the much needed platform for sharing best practice with a growing sustainability network. www.animus-csr.com
Africa Monitor is internationally recognised as providing essential information for anyone doing business in, or with Africa. The publication provides subscribers with systematic political risk assessment, economic forecasts and business analysis for every country across the region.
Published by Business Monitor International, the emerging market specialists, Africa Monitor is broken down into four sub regional publications, of which any combination can be subscribed to. The Middle East and Africa Monitor website http://www.meamonitor.com/ includes ALL the content from the publications, a 24-month archive, and gives the added flexibility of exploring that content by country, topic or keyword.
Our publications are subscribed to by over 50% of the Global Fortune 500 companies. Why not take the time to find out why? Click here to visit http://www.meamonitor.com/ for a FREE trial, or call Tel: +44 (0) 20 7246 1403.
Live Trading News is constantly updated to bring you top market news from around the world. It is produced by dedicated staff in Hong Kong working with colleagues in Asia and the United States. We also handpick articles from the world’s top market blogs, money managers, financial experts and investment newsletters.
Live Trading news gives voice to our readers, providing access to the most savvy and experienced investors.
Our site is a free, online source for stock quotes and research. Live Trading News differs from other finance sites because we focus on what, when, and how. What to buy, when to buy it and how to trade it. We deliver opinion and analysis rather than just all news, written exclusively by other investors and traders who describe their personal approach to stock selection and portfolio management, rather than by journalists. Live Trading Newsfeatures the latest multimedia technologies from online digital magazines to searchable archives of news features and background information.
Clocate.com is a leading search engine and directory for worldwide conferences and exhibitions.
For a copy of the FULL AGENDA, please send email to: hayat@neo-edge.com
Or please call us at Tel: +65 +65 3100 0278
The training will be hold at the hotel stated below. The above fee does not include accommodation or travel costs.
Hotel Riu Plaza Panama, Panama City
Location: Calle 50 con 53 este, Urb. Marbella – Ciudad de Panamá
Telephone: (507) 378 9000
Bookings: 00 34 871 966296
Email: reservations.panama@riu.com
Kindly book your guest room via email as above or through website riu.com.
For a copy of the FULL AGENDA, please send email to: hayat@neo-edge.com
Or please call us at Tel: +65 +65 3100 0278
You are encouraged to send registration or enquiries to us via hayat@neo-edge.com directly, which can enable us to respond faster than filling in the below Form.