1st International Joint Conference of ARIAE and RELOP
RELOP and ARIAE bring together regulators from three continents to discuss the future of energy sector regulation.
Experts and authorities from Portuguese-speaking and Ibero-American countries gathered on Wednesday (6/11) at the Itaipu Binational Hydroelectric Plant facilities in Foz do Iguaçu to discuss the role of regulation in the global energy and climate landscape. Organized by the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE) and the Association of Energy Regulators of Portuguese Speaking Countries (RELOP), the event was promoted by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) and Itaipu Binacional. The First Joint International Conference of ARIAE and RELOP addressed crucial issues for the future of the energy sector.
In the Opening Session, RELOP President and ANEEL’s Director-General, Sandoval Feitosa, highlighted the challenges of the energy transition, outlined ongoing initiatives at ANEEL in this area, and emphasized the role of regulation in driving these changes.
Later in the morning, the first session of the day, “Regulatory Challenges for the Energy Transition,” began with the keynote lecture “Energy Markets in a Decarbonized Economy,” delivered by João Carlos Mello. Laura Nhancale, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE), and Isabel Cancela de Abreu, Executive Director of the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association (ALER), participated as moderator and speaker, respectively. The session focused on regulatory challenges and the path towards a secure, efficient, and equitable energy transition.
In the early afternoon, the session on “The Role of Regulation in Extraordinary Events” brought together regulators from South America, Africa, and Europe to share their perspectives on regulatory adaptation in response to extraordinary events. Carlos Ramos, Board Member of the Multisectoral Regulatory Agency for the Economy (ARME), Maria Isaias, Deputy Director-General of the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute (IRDP), and Carlos Mattar, Superintendent of ANEEL, participated as speakers.
The final session of the day focused on “Tariffs and Pricing,” where participants discussed experiences and opportunities to improve and modernize regulated tariffs, as well as market designs with competitive and fair pricing. Ricardo Tili, ANEEL’s Director, moderated the session, which included contributions from Luis Mourão, Chairman of the Board of the Electricity and Water Services Regulatory Institute (IRSEA), and Pedro Verdelho, Chairman of the Board of the Energy Services Regulatory Entity.
In the Closing Session, José Branquinho, Vice President of RELOP and Administrator of the National Petroleum Institute, delivered a speech that praised the organization of the event and summarized the day’s discussions. Under the theme “The Role of Regulation in the Current Energy and Climate Landscape,” leaders and experts from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cuba, Spain, Mozambique, Panama, Portugal, and Uruguay shared their views on the need for regulatory adaptation in today’s economic context.
The conference marked a significant milestone in the debate on the energy and climate future, establishing important guidelines for improving regulatory policies in the context of the global climate urgency.
