Latin America's electricity distributors present ADELAT, the industry's first Association in the region
Published on Thursday, 2 June 2022
- The new entity will facilitate integration and cooperation between companies. ADELAT already has 15 associates present in Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina, promoting the strategic role of distribution networks in the energy transition, and will continue to pursue new associated businesses.
São Paulo, May 30, 2022 - Electricity distribution companies from five Latin American countries - Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina -have joined forces to deliver energy to more than 70 million homes and businesses to promote regional energy integration. The goal is also to boost the benefits offered by the acceleration of technological advances during the energy transition. At Enel Distribución São Paulo's headquarters today, the companies announced the creation of the Association of Latin American Electricity Distributors (ADELAT).
The event was organized both virtually and in person and brought together association executives, regulatory representatives of the member countries, and authorities of influential international organizations. Also present was the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE)'s Executive Secretary, Alfonso Blanco.
The president of ADELAT, Ramón Castañeda, inaugurated the meeting stressing their strategic role and the electricity sector's transformation during the energy transition. Distribution networks play a crucial role in promoting the safe and efficient use of electricity, thus enabling the electrification of consumption based on renewable sources.
"ADELAT is an excellent platform to examine the energy transition's challenges, suggesting a profound social and economic transformation at a global level and Latin America in the next ten years. Electricity distributors will play a central role in the process, acting as managers of energy resources while working actively with customers and other players involved in the supply chain. Cooperative and forthcoming work promotes more efficient energy consumption and zero emissions", said Antonio Cammisecra, Enel's Global Head of Infrastructures and Networks.
The event was also the occasion to present the new executive director of ADELAT, Ignacio Santelices, who will direct and manage the Association at the Latin American level. Ignacio is an economist with a master's degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica and a master's degree in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley, with extensive experience in energy and sustainability issues. At the event, Santelices stressed that the role of ADELAT will focus on accompanying regional companies in the energy transition, promoting best practices to ensure a modern, flexible, intelligent, resilient, and safe service, promoting the electrification of energy use, and embracing new technologies.
The event also included the panel "Electricity Distribution in the Energy Transition," represented by regulatory entities from each participating country. ADELAT's Board of Directors Secretary, Horacio Nadra, also President of ADEERA and General Manager of EDET, served as moderator. The panel discussed challenges in preparing the grids for future increases in electricity consumption and the extreme weather events caused by global warming. In addition, they addressed the transformations underway and their impacts, including the adoption of technologies, grid modernization, and security and quality of service; the expansion of distributed generation; the growth of electric mobility; and the adoption of smart meters. Participants also emphasized the importance of regulation in structuring the necessary developments and enabling investments to prepare future grids.
The current members of ADELAT are the companies Enel Distribución Chile, Enel Distribución Perú, Codensa, Enel Brasil (represented by the companies 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 (Association of Electricity Distribution Companies in Argentina).
