Endesa is the leading private electricity company in Latin America, being the leader in Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Peru, and the third largest in Brazil.
The company’s customer numbers in the region increased by 3.9% in 2009 to 12.9 million. Endesa’s network in Latin America supplied 63,745 GWh of power in 2009, up 1.5% on 2008.
1.- Distribution infrastructure
Chilectra in Chile is currently planning the expansion of its electricity infrastructures using simulation models and planning criteria that enable the company to identify the short-, medium- and long-term investment needs which will meet growing demand for electricity from users in the areas in which Chilectra has operating concessions. Investment plans for 2010-2014 were drawn up in 2009. These plans will be updated annually in response to changes in demand, regulatory and environmental requirements and, in general, to reflect the interests of the community.
2.- Continuity of supply (GRI index EU6, EU10, EU12 and EU29)
In 2009, the average interruption time improved in most of Endesa’s Latin American operating markets. Other benchmarks are used in this geographical area, such as supply quality, that are similar to the average interruption time, but the data from different countries are not comparable owing to different local regulations on calculating interruptions (causes, sources, durations and facilities involved).(read +)In the Brazilian state of Ceará, Endesa improved performance in the principal reference indicators for energy supply in 2009. The number of interruptions (FEC) fell 0.9 times to 5.9, while the interruption time (DEC) dropped by 0.4 hours to 7.7 hours. Energy losses, at 11.57%, were 15% lower than in the previous year. Endesa investments in Brazil in 2009 to improve the supply quality and minimize losses totalled 127.7 million, which is an 26% increase over the investment of 2008.The supply quality indices of Chilectra continued to improve in both urban and rural areas in 2009. There was a particularly notable improvement in the management of the urban sector, with a reduced number of incidents associated with emergency plans. The average supply interruption time per transformer in the medium and low-voltage grid was 3.08 hours in 2009, 45 minutes (12.8%) less than in 2008.
3.- Main initiatives (GRI index PR3, PR9, EU19 and EU23)
The main initiatives carried out by Endesa to improve or maintain access to electricity and customer support services were ongoing in 2009.
Of particular note was the signing of a Framework Agreement between the Argentine government, the province of Buenos Aires and power companies to guarantee payment for the electricity consumed in the shanty towns in the Greater Buenos Aires area.
In Chile, the company has worked steadily to provide improved services in the city of Santiago, investing in new facilities and the maintenance of existing infrastructure, and optimising emergency plans and arrangements.
A key measure in Peru was the “Alumbrado Público para tu Seguridad” (Public lighting for your safety) programme. This initiative rolled out by Edeldor focuses on three aspects (the quality of the lighting, continuity of service, and communication) to improve lighting in the squares, parks and streets of districts where the company operates. Electricity is also being installed in locations where people have settled, helping poorer sectors to develop and making these areas safer.
The company provides information on the safe and efficient use of electricity through the distribution of leaflets and on its website. Meanwhile, its programmes to improve health and combat malnutrition have also been maintained, distributing and selling books at accessible prices such as “Anchoveta para todos” and “Todo sobre la papa” about cooking with anchovies and potatoes.
Programmes in Brazil include:
- The "Electricity for all" programme. This federal initiative, in which regional governments also participate, is aimed at ensuring universal access to electricity supplies in the country’s rural areas so that the entire population can enjoy the benefits of electricity.
- "Low income" programme, giving customers on low incomes discounts of 65%.
- Ecoelce. A programme run by Coelce, Endesa’s Brazilian subsidiary, to ensure the poorest members of society have access to electricity while at the same time encouraging recycling and raising awareness about the environment.
In Colombia, the company identifies newly developed areas that need new connections, deals with applications by communities for new supplies and coordinates with local authorities to implement services in line with local development plans. In 2009, services in the municipalities of Soacha, Vergara and El Peñon were standardised.