Peru’s Ministry of Energy & Mines (Minem) has approved a roadmap to transition its electricity network into a smart grid by 2030.

The strategy aims to achieve a competitive, reliable and sustainable service that contributes to the decarbonisation of the country, for the benefit of the population and the conservation of the environment.

The roadmap should contribute to the objectives of the country’s National Energy Policy 2010-2040, which seeks an energy system that meets the national demand for energy in a reliable, regular, continuous and efficient manner.

The Minem says Peru wants to modernise its electrical distribution system, migrating from the traditional one to one that uses technologies that allows the incorporation of non-conventional renewable energies such as those from the sun and the air. It should lead to the efficient use of energy at the national level, and the use of smart electrical networks to optimise production and distribution.

Smart grids can generate multiple benefits, mainly because they encourage the direct participation of electricity consumers, through the use of technologies such as smart metering. In this way, for example, people in their homes will be able to receive information in real time about their electricity use.

Likewise, users will be able to manage their electricity consumption actively, since they will have the ability to decide not to consume electricity at peak hours, leading to lower electricity bills and contributing to caring for the environment.

Smart grids should also facilitate adequate storage of energy generated in the country, as well as the development of new markets, products and services, and should integrate different sectors, such as transport through electromobility. In addition, they should improve the quality of the service and the reliability of the energy supply to reduce the probabilities of interruptions or power cuts.

State and private electricity distribution companies, including the Supervisory Body for Investment in Energy & Mining (Osinergmin), National Fund for Financing State Business Activity (Fonafe), Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Transport & Communications, were also involved in preparing the roadmap, guaranteeing a coherent product agreed by the different national actors.

The Minem said the process was carried out as part of the General Directorate of Energy Efficiency, in coordination with the General Directorate of Electricity, both belonging to the Vice-Ministry of Electricity, and had the support of German development cooperations, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through the Electrical Distribution 4.0 project.