In SODRE’s Adela Reta Auditorium, the commemorative activities of the company’s 110th anniversary began, with the presence of the entire UTE Board of Directors, national and departmental authorities, and officials.
President Silvia Emaldi led the celebration, flanked by Vice President Julio Luis Sanguinetti, Directors Felipe Algorta and Enrique Pées Boz, and Director Fernanda Cardona. It was also attended by Minister Omar Paganini and a large audience. The UTE choir, IluminArte, was in charge of opening the evening with the intonation of the National Anthem, accompanied by the SODRE Youth Symphony Orchestra.
President Emaldi, after making a historical portrait of the company, evoking the origins and genesis of UTE, which began 110 years ago, said: “Today we are embarking on the second energy transformation, promoting decarbonisation. We are doing it through the development of electric mobility, substitution of the use of fossil fuels, support for the national production of goods and services with clean energy and through the incorporation of Green Hydrogen as an energy vector”.
“The company’s investments and resources are being used to strengthen the electrical infrastructure, which reaches 58,000 transformation stations and substations with 93,000 kilometers of high, medium and low voltage lines, which criss-cross the country reaching the farthest points of the national territory”, continued Emaldi.
“Rural Electrification is carried out under a joint modality, where the rural producer is the protagonist of the process. Likewise, 100% electrified Uruguay has been advancing, based on conventional networks and the installation of photovoltaic panels”.
“As far as commercial policy is concerned, a high degree of decentralization is sought, in order to be ever closer to customers and digitally manage processes based on innovative technologies.”
“In turn, with the implementation of the UTE Social Bonus, in agreement with MIDES; The most vulnerable households are offered a reduction in their bill, favoring their permanence in the system, promoting a culture of payment and guaranteeing the sustainability of the plan”.
“UTE’s activities are evaluated by the Regional Energy Integration Commission (CIER) every year. The achievement in the category “Greater customer satisfaction” was achieved with the Gold Award in 2019, Silver in 2020 and Gold again in 2021 and 2022″.
Emaldi also emphasized: “UTE has learned that in order to face current and future challenges, it is necessary to maximize the potential of its people: process improvement, continuous training, motivation of people, signing labor agreements and incorporation of innovative technologies. These have been the pillars of the transformation of UTE throughout its 110 years”.
“We are going through a new period, built with the legacy of thousands of women and men who preceded us, and who transmitted to us the commitment to provide an essential service for the life and development of the country. We must make a qualitative leap: we will do it thanks to the great team of UTE workers, the interaction with the unions and the active participation of the clients. We will continue to be an engine for the growth of the productive and commercial sectors, adding value through new products and services. We must fulfill the purpose of continuing to transform our country with energy”, concluded the president of UTE.
In his turn, Minister Omar Paganini stated: «UTE has been the protagonist of the greatest energy transformations in Uruguay, and has achieved this by innovating and incorporating technological advances at each historical moment. As Uruguayans, we can feel proud to have a solid and reliable electrical system, which guarantees a supply that at times comes from 100% renewable sources and has even allowed us to assist our neighbors. UTE is a company whose past, present and future is called to comply with the country”.
After the oratory part, the meeting at this commemoration included a performance by the UTE IluminArte Choir, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the presence of the SODRE Youth Symphony Orchestra, together with a select dance group. In this way, the historic meeting was accompanied and enriched by the emotional contribution of the artists present.
