BARRIERS AND KEY FACTORS TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN INDUSTRY

The industrial sector has a high technical potential for reducing energy intensity, and in this way, contribute to climate change mitigation, energy safety and sustainability. This requires establishing public policies, developing specific programs directed to increasing energy efficiency. Since international experience gathered in publications; managers and specialists opinions obtained through different training activities developed in Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama; and from a survey applied to energy managers and specialists of 28 high energy consuming enterprises, the main barriers that should be overcome for a successful development of energy efficiency programs, are summed up. From the analysis of national energy efficiency programs in different countries, a group of key factors for their success are identified.