This paper describes the current status and potential of sustainable energy technologies in Latin America. Our main proposition is that, despite of its great potential for the region, sustainable energy technologies have been scarcely utilised, developed and adopted. This poor outcome is the result of a number of factors such as: a) lack of knowledge about its availability or potential; b) lack of governmental policies to encourage its use (or to discourage conventional alternatives which are harmful to the environment); c) lack of sound studies showing its cost effectiveness and; d) the opposition of interest groups for its more widespread adoption.