In the auditorium of the Palacio de la Luz, the UTE 110th anniversary commemoration event was held, with the presence of the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, on Friday, October 21. The entity’s president, Silvia Emaldi, led the celebration that was accompanied by the company’s board of directors and General Manager. It was also attended by the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), Omar Paganini.
The Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Delgado, the Deputy Secretary, Rodrigo Ferrés, the Ministers of Education and Culture, Pablo da Silveira, and National Defense, Javier García, the director of the Planning and Budget Office (OPP), Isaac Alfie, also participated. , the director of Energy of the MIEM, Fitzgerald Cantero, the president of the Uruguayan Post Office, Rafael Navarrine, the president of Antel, Gabriel Gurméndez and former presidents of UTE.
Emaldi began the oratory part by making a reminder of these 110 years of the company and highlighted “the legacy of thousands of women and men who preceded us and who transmitted to us the commitment to provide a key service for the quality of life and the development of the country. ”. In her message, she thanked all the UTE staff for their effort and dedication shown in all these years to be able to fulfill the main mission of bringing electricity to all corners of Uruguay.
He shared the approach of the board of directors of the current Administration, in terms of strategic planning, the keys to the electricity business and the public service provided by UTE, which are based on four perspectives: Energy Security, Energy Equity, Environmental Sustainability and Culture and People.
INVESTMENTS
Emaldi said that the Five-Year Investment Plan that UTE has agreed with the OPP and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is key, in which 1,380 million dollars will be executed to generate Energy Security. This allows the second energy transformation that The country carries forward through Electric Mobility and the substitution of the use of fossil fuels, together with the support of the national production of goods and services with clean energies and the incorporation of Green Hydrogen as a new energy source.
In addition, the president of UTE highlighted that this plan will allow the completion of works such as the renovation of the Baygorria Hydroelectric dam, the laying of the second line to Punta del Tigre, the closure of the North Ring with a transmission line that will connect Tacuarembó with Salto , expansion of the master plan for Montevideo and the metropolitan area. The works plan will not only guarantee a quality service, but also generate job opportunities throughout the country.
He also commented on the arrival of the solar panels for the installation of the first photovoltaic solar park of UTE, and added that progress was made in the connection with the Brazilian energy system, through the Candiota Thermoelectric Power Plant, which is building lines and a Station Converter in Melo, so that it would be possible to exchange and supply significant amounts of energy with the sister country.
The head of UTE stressed that significant resources and investments have been allocated by the company 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 cross the entire national territory. .
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
Emaldi stressed that the goal of a 100% electrified Uruguay comes with advances through conventional electrical networks and the installation of photovoltaic panels to reach the 2,500 families in the deep interior that still do not have electricity.
“We will also continue to be an engine for the growth of the productive and commercial sectors, with the contribution of value through new products and services. We must fulfill the purpose of continuing with the transformation of energy in our country”, said Emaldi.
ELECTRIC MOBILITY
Emaldi said that UTE is also committed to environmental sustainability and emphasized the effort made to develop electric routes through 142 charging points throughout the country. He added that it is expected to reach 300 in 2023, of which 50 will be fast charging, where 80 percent of electric vehicle batteries can be charged in 20 or 30 minutes.
CIER GOLD AWARD
UTE’s activities are evaluated by the Regional Energy Integration Commission (CIER) every year. The entity was distinguished in the category “Greater customer satisfaction”, where it achieved the Gold Award in 2019, Silver in 2020 and Gold again in 2021 and 2022. Likewise, the president of UTE highlighted that rates in recent years , rose below the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
COMPANY STRUCTURE
Referring to the company’s organizational structure and culture, Emaldi 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, the signing of labor agreements and the incorporation of innovative technologies. Soon, UTE will also receive recognition from the Inter-American Development Bank for the construction of the Valentines wind farm”
“This company is going to move forward due to the enormous commitment of all the officials. It is the commitment to reach all homes with electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That is what encourages us to go one step further, because together we have to energetically transform our country”.
For his part, Paganini indicated that UTE has been part of the main transformations in the country and added, “Currently, the company is working to promote energy transformation through a plan based on safety, equity and sustainability.”
As is traditional, the event allowed officials who completed 30, 40 and 50 years of work in the company, or who took advantage of the retirement benefit during the last year, to be honored.
Finally, the UTE Iluminarte Choir, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, which had opened the act by singing the National Anthem, closed it delighting those present, with the interpretation of several songs from its repertoire. The activity culminated with a camaraderie meeting between all the presents.
