- The new body will foster integration and cooperation amongst energy companies. With 15 members already in Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Argentina the organization will play a key part in strengthening the role of distribution networks in the energy transition and finding new members.
São Paulo, May 30, 2022 - Electricity distribution companies from five Latin American countries - Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Argentina - that deliver energy to more than 70 million homes and businesses, have joined forces to promote energy integration in the region. Launched at Enel Distribución's headquarters in São Paulo, the new Association of Latin American Electricity Distributors (ADELAT) will work to leverage the technologies, opportunities and benefits that come with the energy transition.
The hybrid virtual and in-person event, was attended by representatives from industry associations, from regulators of the respective member countries and from different international organizations, including the executive secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), Alfonso Blanco.
Ramón Castañeda, president of the newly formed ADELAT, kicked off the meeting and spoke of the strategic role that the new entity will play as well as of the significant changes the electricity sector faces with the energy transition. He said that distribution networks will play a key role in promoting the safe and efficient use of electricity, in particular in supplying power from renewable sources.
"ADELAT will be in a privileged position to confront the challenges posed by the energy transition, which will bring about profound social and economic changes worldwide and in Latin America over the next 10 years. Electricity distributors will play a central part in this transformation, managing both the energy resources and an industry that is seeing an increasing level of participation from customers, from the supply chain and from the regulators. This task will require working together and transparently in order to achieve more efficient and zero-emission energy consumption," said Antonio Cammisecra, Enel's Global Head of Infrastructure and Networks.
During the event, Ignacio Santelices was presented as ADELAT's new Executive Director who will manage and steer the association's Latin American strategy. Ignacio has an undergraduate degree in Economics, a Master's in Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica and a Master's in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley. He also has extensive experience in energy and sustainability issues. During the event, Santelices said that ADELAT's role would be to: assist Latin American energy distributors in their transition to renewable power; to encourage the adoption of best practices to ensure a modern, flexible, intelligent, resilient and safe service; and to promote electric energy consumption and the adoption of new technologies.
A panel discussion during the event entitled "Electricity Distribution in the Energy Transition" featured authorities from each member country and was moderated by Horacio Nadra, who is Secretary of ADELAT's Board of Directors as well as President of Argentina's Association of Electricity Distribution Companies (ADEERA) and CEO of Tucumán electricity distributor EDET. Panelists discussed how to prepare energy grids for the expected sharp increase in electricity consumption in the region expected over the coming years and for extreme weather events caused by global warming. They also addressed the transformations already underway and their impact, including: the adoption of new technologies; grid modernization; security and quality of service; the expansion of distributed generation; the growth of electric mobility; and the adoption of smart meters. In addition, the panelists highlighted the key role to be played by regulators in shaping development and in encouraging investments to prepare grids for the future.
ADELAT's current members are Enel Distribución Chile, Enel Distribución Perú, Codensa, Enel Brasil (represented by Enel São Paulo, Enel Goiás, Enel Ceará and Enel Rio), Hidrandina, Electro Dunas, Chilquinta, EDP (represented by distributors in Espírito Santo and São Paulo), Cosern, Light and ADEERA.