APR Energy eyeing opportunities in Venezuela

The collapse of Venezuela's electric grid has created growing demand for providers of temporary power generation services, US-based company APR Energy told BNamericas.

Venezuelans have become accustomed to rolling power outages amid a spiraling economic crisis that has also been marked by hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.

APR is using its fast-track interim solutions to offer emergency power while infrastructure is repaired, avoiding the need for investments in new plants, the company's associate sales director Gustavo Pérez said.

"There’s no question that there are numerous opportunities to support Venezuela’s power grid and help the country recover from the current challenges they are facing," he said.

"With more than 36GW of total installed capacity and about 25GW [of the total] out of service causing recurrent blackouts and rationing, Venezuela does not have a deficit of installed power, but a lack of availability and reliability in the generation and transmission systems."

Pérez said APR aimed to guarantee energy for vital facilities such as hospitals, water treatment plants, food processors and sewage plants and thereby aid humanitarian efforts in the country.

In addition, the company's fast-track systems allow operators to maintain electricity supply to oilfields, industrial, petrochemical and metallurgical complexes.

"[We have] utilized interim, fuel-flexible plants in several countries, each one with its own and unique set of economic, financial and political challenges," he said.

"As for Venezuela, APR Energy is closely monitoring developments in the country and has dedicated resources to support the grid with specialized power solutions at any time."

Pérez said the company is also pursing prospects in Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Key segments driving growth in demand for temporary generation services include oil and gas expansion, new transmission networks, trapped natural gas, flaring of associated gas and non-conventional renewable energy projects.

The second of a two-part interview with Pérez can be seen here.