“We are committed to Sustainability because it generates value for all”

Maurizio Bezzeccheri, CEO of Enel Américas

Published on Tuesday, 21 January 2020

  • The multinational company was named the best company in Chile by ALAS20 in its 2019 edition.

 

After undergoing the evaluation process on Sustainability, Corporate Governance and Investor Relations, Enel Américas was awarded the maximum distinction by ALAS20 in Chile. Today, the multinational company has presence in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru and is the largest private electric company in Latin America, with a net installed capacity of 11,257MW and over 24.5 million clients. It is also the top company in terms of market capitalization in the Santiago Stock Exchange.

Maurizio Bezzeccheri, CEO of Enel Américas and Director of the Enel Group for Latin America, explains why Sustainability is such an important part of their strategy.

Enel Américas was named the 2019 Best Company in Chile, according to ALAS20, and also took first place in the Corporate Governance and Sustainability categories. What does this recognition mean to you?

We are proud to receive this distinction because it is very important for us that the market recognize sustainability as an intrinsic part of our business. 

What do you mean by Sustainability being at the core of your strategy?

For Enel Américas, a strategy based on Sustainability implies, among other things, the creation of value for our shareholders and all of our stakeholders. We are committed to a sustainable business model, not only because of its positive impact on the people and the environment, but also on each of our stakeholders, and our shareholders in particular.

It is a core pillar in the company's economic, social and environmental performance, and it requires a long-term perspective that delivers solutions to the great challenges faced by the most urbanized region in the world. From this perspective, it is key that the company have presence in the continent's big cities: Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Río de Janeiro, Bogota and Lima.

A NEW IMPULSE FOR THE REGION

What is the signature style of Enel Américas management in the countries where it operates?

We are working hard on energy transition in LATAM. One example is what is happening right now in Bogota, with the arrival of 379 electric buses, but not just that, because this project goes hand in hand with the implementation of the necessary infrastructure to supply energy to them. This project led by Enel X considers the installation of 3 terminals with 177 fast charging stations and an installed capacity of 8 to 10MW in order to simultaneously supply the fleet. Along with Santiago, the Colombian capital will become one of the Latin American cities with the most electric buses and one of the most advanced in the world in terms of the energy transition. We are the largest distribution operator in Brazil and at the top of the ranking in all other countries. This allows us to digitalize the electric grids and improve the service quality standards, paving the way for new services and advanced products.

How is this strategy related to the company's self-declared need to innovate and go digital?

A good example of this is the project we are developing in Brazil. What has now been termed the “Silicon Valley of Sao Paulo,” 30 years ago used to be a rural and marginal sector of the Sao Paulo metropolitan area. This area is called Vila Olimpia, and it is recognized as one of the main financial centers of Brazil and the site chosen for an innovative electric grid digitalization proposal.

The project is named “Urban Futurability,” and its main goal is to install 5,000 sensors throughout the entire electric distribution network of Vila Olimpia to construct a 3D digital infrastructure model. The name of the technology is “Network Digital Twin,” a leap from the 4.0 industry, which incorporates network automation, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 3D models. 

What is the regional investment plan during the coming years?

In our 2020-2022 strategic plan, we have announced that 90% of our EBITDA will come from business activities that generate zero direct emissions. This has an impact on the people, the environment and the shareholders, generating a virtuous cycle that will continue to grow.  Regarding investments, the same plan projects that over this period, 92% of the company's $5.3 billion budget will be assigned to businesses that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

* Published by Diario La Tercera, Tuesday, January 21st, 2020.