This year marks the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy’s eighth annual Carnot Prize for distinguished contributions to energy policy—and the 2023 recipient is Ramón Méndez Galain, physicist, renewable energy visionary, and former energy director of Uruguay.

During his tenure, Dr. Méndez transitioned Uruguay away from fossil fuels and toward a diverse mix of wind, solar, hydro, and other forms of clean energy. Thanks to his plan, 98% of Uruguay’s electricity today is generated with renewable energy. Uruguay is one of the most electrified countries in the Western Hemisphere—with 99.9% of its homes connected to the electric grid. He is currently the executive director of Ivy, an association that aims to help Latin America accelerate its path towards a new sustainable transition model for the 21st century, contributing to the necessary global transformation.

A lecture in his honor will be given on Monday, October 2 by Roberto Schaeffer, professor of energy economics and principal investigator of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Economics (CENERGIA). Penn President Liz Magill will present the award and a reception will follow. The presentation will take place at the Energy Forum at the Kleinman Center, located in the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Register for the event here.