Across the globe, the energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation as countries pursue decarbonization and cleaner energy sources. Brazil is no exception. With vast potential in wind, solar, and hydropower, the country has already achieved a notably clean energy mix. Yet the real challenge lies in ensuring that the national grid remains reliable and cost-effective. Without that foundation, even the most ambitious sustainability goals can falter. Natural Energia has made this reliability challenge central to its mission—helping Brazil balance its clean energy ambitions with the need for a consistent, stable power supply for industries, cities, and consumers. Founded over a decade ago by experienced professionals from Brazil’s energy sector, the company has led the development of power generation projects totaling more than 4 GW in capacity, spanning technologies such as wind, solar, and natural gas. What sets Natural Energia apart is its technical expertise and its ability to anticipate market dynamics—acting ahead of policy shifts or demand spikes. Whether in wind, solar, dispatchable energy like natural gas, or energy storage, Natural Energia doesn’t just participate in the market—it shapes it. When stress on the national grid began to surface, the company was already advancing flexible natural gas projects, recognizing early on that Brazil’s energy reliability would depend on sources capable of responding on demand—not just when the wind blows or the sun shines. “We don’t follow trends. In fact, we anticipate them, prepare in advance, and deliver solutions that support the entire power system—from consumers to national utilities,” says Ricardo Martins, CEO and founding partner of Natural Energia. Strategic Intelligence Through Data and Experience Natural Energia’s competitive edge lies in its ability to identify opportunities others might overlook—thanks to its proprietary geo-intelligence platform. This system converts complex datasets into clear, actionable insights by integrating environmental data, infrastructure availability, regulatory trends, and market forecasts into an interactive geographic interface. It enables the team to anticipate market shifts and identify high-potential energy projects long before demand materializes, says Bruno Karrer, Business Development Director and partner at Natural Energia.
Uruguay has truly embraced the winds of change, quite literally. Harnessing the transformative power of wind energy, the country has witnessed a massive rise from zero wind energy generation during the early 2000s to becoming one of the world leaders in wind energy production. Having made significant advancements in other renewable energy sources as well, an impressive 95 percent of its energy mix is now sourced from renewables. The remarkable shift has piqued the interest of many foreign investors and private-sector companies alike. Increasingly drawn to Uruguay’s dynamic energy market, these stakeholders are eager to tap into local expertise to effectively navigate the intricate regulatory landscape and ensure project success. Amid this transition, Clerk, a boutique consultancy firm, is a key player providing support throughout the energy project lifecycle. Its services span from facilitating utility contracts and establishing grid connections to crafting and negotiating power purchase agreements (PPAs) with third parties. Beyond these foundational services, it offers in-depth assistance in commercial negotiations and contractual matters, ensuring every aspect of a project is accurately managed.
Athon Energia, a leading energy solutions provider, invests in, develops, and manages projects related to renewable energy, especially in the solar and distributed generation (DG) segments. The company started its journey in 2017. This was an exciting time for the Brazilian energy landscape as the regulations were evolving, setting the stage for significant changes in the solar energy sector. Two tectonic shifts occurred at that point: the rise of DG solar, focusing on smaller-scale solar installations and the emergence of community solar projects. Although these concepts were gaining traction in certain regions, they were still relatively novel on a global scale. Athon recognized the immense potential of solar energy in Brazil and embarked on a journey by engaging with businesses with extensive energy consumption needs. Telecom companies were its first focus as their widespread network of 3G and 5G antennas had numerous points of energy consumption. “When we started, we encountered unexpected challenges with DISCOs. Distributing energy from a solar plant to thousands of bills within a different regulatory framework was a technical and data nightmare. Mistakes were commonplace, leading to discrepancies in energy distribution among clients,” says Daniel Maia, founder of Athon. “The situation led us to develop a robust system akin to an ERP for solar communities. The goal was to check and cross-reference the calculations made by the DISCOs, uncovering numerous opportunities for improvement.” It also established a dedicated department akin to public relations ambassadors, advocating on behalf of clients for quick resolution of any issue. The aim was to provide clients with the best possible experience amid the evolving solar landscape in Brazil.
With over 15 years of innovation, Makbi has emerged as a cornerstone in the renewable energy sector, epitomizing adaptability, quality and partnership. As a pivotal force in solar installation, Makbi is not just a service provider but a partner that redefines the investment landscape for sustainable solutions across businesses and households. Makbi’s distinct approach is evident in its expansive portfolio, tailored to meet the diverse needs of residential and commercial clients. This includes a robust follow-up service that ensures each installation performs at its peak long after the initial setup. It’s a strategy that transforms every project into a building block for enduring relationships rather than just transactions. This philosophy of lasting partnerships is a cornerstone of Makbi’s operational ethos and has catalyzed its growth across 13 countries, including notable expansions in Central America, Mexico, Colombia and the Caribbean. In these areas, Makbi excels by offering a seamless project management experience, ensuring that every venture is handled with the same level of expertise and commitment. As Makbi pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in renewable energy, its visionary approach shapes the future, not just for itself but for all its partners and customers in the evolving energy landscape. “We aim to leverage collective experience from various areas to enhance our project delivery processes,” says Carlos Esquivel, CEO of Makbi. The company’s capabilities is exemplified by its diverse team of experts, who bring extensive knowledge from across the energy sector. Makbi recruits seasoned professionals with expertise in project operations, construction, logistics and procurement, ensuring a holistic approach to each undertaking.
Ergin Akbaş, Senior Manager - EHS Management Systems, AVANGRID
Enoch Charles, Information Technology - Smart Grid Transport Manager, CenterPoint Energy
Ivor Castelino, Energy Transition Leader - Biogas and Carbon Capture, Bloom Energy
Jorge Raul Bauer, O&M Vice President, State Grid Brazil Holding S.A
Juan Carlos Monckeberg Fernández, Environment Director, AES Andes
Alexander Vogt, Head of Metering Services, LichtBlick SE
Leslie Myers, Product Manager, Renewables, Puget Sound Energy
Latin America has the potential to lead the energy transition, driven by the development of sustainable energy sources.
Latin America can lead the energy transition with robust platforms integrating data management, smart grids, and market mechanisms, but requires interoperability and strong collaboration for success.
Fueling the Global Energy Transition
Across the globe, the energy landscape is undergoing a profound reconfiguration. As nations commit to net-zero targets and renewable energy adoption surges, the need for intelligent, interoperable systems to manage this new complexity has never been greater. Energy transition platforms are emerging as the digital backbone of the post-carbon era due to their ability to orchestrate clean power generation, distribution and consumption with precision. These platforms sit at the core of a fast-evolving ecosystem integrating solar, wind, hydro, battery storage, electric mobility and smart grid infrastructure into responsive, real-time operations. In Latin America, where abundant natural resources and progressive energy policies are converging, countries like Brazil, Chile and Colombia are leveraging these platforms to accelerate decarbonization while strengthening energy reliability and ensuring equitable energy access. Leading energy players are transforming grid architecture using platforms equipped with AI, digital twins and edge analytics. At the same time, these platforms are helping developed and emerging markets leapfrog outdated infrastructure, unlocking opportunities for clean industrial growth and smart electrification. From urban EV charging corridors to rural off-grid solar solutions, energy transition platforms are redefining how energy is produced, distributed, and monetized. This edition of Energy Tech Review Latin America presents expert opinions on the latest tech advancements powering the future of energy transition. It features insights from Bruno Freitas, product line director, IMODCO at SBM Offshore [SBMO: AMS]. He traces the history of conflicting interests in conventional and renewable sources of energy and the pressing need to transition to clean energy while addressing energy security and emission reduction. Blake Ritter, Branded Products Segment Manager at Lincoln Industries, discusses the ongoing evolution of modern manufacturing technologies and the crucial yet often underrated role industrial fasteners play in holding together advanced machinery and structures. We hope this edition gives you deep insights into the ways leading players driving the global energy transition are leveraging high-tech platforms to ensure that the future of power is clean, connected and accessible for everyone.