SPEAKERS

Natalia Alvarado Sanabria, Engineer, Energy Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica

A mechanical and electrical engineer, she holds a technical background complemented by a master's degree in atmospheric sciences with an emphasis on solar energy, an MBA, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in finance and a doctorate. Her professional experience is primarily in the Costa Rican energy sector, where she has led renewable energy projects, specifically in solar energy and biogas, as well as in the strategic management of energy resources.

For more than 15 years, she worked at the National Power and Light Company (CNFL) in the sector, serving in research, development, and executive assistance to the General Management, including the development of the 2023-2027 business strategy and the monitoring of performance indicators. She currently collaborates with the Energy Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), where she participates in the development of national energy balances and in the formulation of public policies related to the sector.

Andrés Astacio, Superintendent, Superintendency of Electricity – SIE, Dominican Republic

Mr. Andrés Astacio holds a law degree from the Pontifical Catholic Mother and Teacher University (PUCMM). He holds a master's degree in Economics and Regulation of Public Services, with a focus on Energy, from the University of Barcelona, as well as a specialty in Administrative Law, Negotiation, and Conflict Strategy.

Until August 2022, he served as Executive Vice President of the Electricity Distribution Companies. Since that year, he has held the position of Superintendent of Electricity of the Dominican Republic. On May 13, he was elected President of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulatory Entities (ARIAE).

Carlos Cabrera García, Executive Vice President, Servinca

Electrical Engineer graduated (Cum Laude) from INTEC University in 1999, second largest shareholder - Principal Partner of the Company, Executive Vice President - Commercial, Business Development, and Corporate Marketing Director, Chairman of the Company's Health, Hygiene, and Safety Committee, Member of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), Member of the Dominican Chamber of Construction (CADOCON), Member of the Association of Industrial Companies of Herrera and Santo Domingo (ANEIH), Member of the Dominican-British Chamber, among others.

More than 29 years of accumulated experience in the Construction and Industry Sector, which has involved leading this family business with his father, where today they have 44 years of experience in the Public - Private Sector of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Panama in the Caribbean, for the entire Construction Industry of the various sectors of Water, Energy, Civil - Hydraulic, Buildings, Mining, Rail Transport (Metro Lines 1 and 2).

Karla Hernández, Business Development and Regulation Manager, Empresa Propietaria de la Red (EPR)

Electrical Engineer and Attorney with a Master's Degree in Business Law and advanced studies in Electricity Market Regulation. She has 35 years of experience in the Central American electricity sector, where she has combined a solid technical background with a legal and strategic vision.

She serves as Business Development and Regulation Manager for Empresa Propietaria de la Red (EPR), a regional public-private partnership responsible for the financing, construction, operation, and expansion of the electricity transmission infrastructure known as the Electric Interconnection System for Central America (SIEPAC). In this position, she promotes the expansion of transmission infrastructure in Central America and directs EPR's regulatory strategy for its participation in the Regional Electricity Market (MER).

Previously, she served as EPR's Country Manager in Honduras and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Operating Entity (EOR), which she chaired twice.

A lecturer and university professor, she is a founding member of the Central American Network of Women Energy Executives (RECME), where she promotes female participation and leadership in the sector.

Sara Hernández, Account Manager, Bentley Systems

Sara Hernández is an Industrial Engineer with a Master's degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. With more than six years of experience in the infrastructure software industry, she has significantly contributed to the digital transformation of companies and teams in Latin America.

In her role as Account Manager at Bentley Systems, she works closely with companies in the energy and infrastructure sectors, driving process optimization, efficient asset management, and project lifecycle digitalization. Her approach combines a solid technical background with a strategic vision to support organizations in their evolution toward more sustainable and efficient operations.

Her commitment to technological innovation and sustainability has positioned her as a key ally in the modernization of the energy sector in the region.

Esteban Martínez, Head of the Solar and Wind Energy Department, Vice Ministry of Mines and Energy, MOPC, Paraguay

Electromechanical Engineer graduated from the School of Engineering of the National University of Asunción (FIUNA). He specialized in Environmental Engineering for Civil Works from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil.

For the past eight years, he has been part of the engineering team of the Vice Ministry of Mines and Energy (VMME) of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), within the Directorate of Alternative Energy (DEA). He currently serves as Head of the Solar and Wind Energy Department.

Mauricio Moreno Paniagua, Advisor to the General Management, CNFL - National Electricity and Light Company

Academic Summary:

- Industrial Electricity.

- Business Administration.

- Specialization in Finance.

- Specialization in Project Management.

- Energy transition, business vision.

Experience:

- Plant and Substation Maintenance.

- Substation Protection Equipment.

- Power Project Planning.

- Advisor to the Executive President of ICE.

- Finance Manager at ICE.

- Advisor to the Vice President of CIER.

- Advisor to the CNFL Management Team.

- Coordinator of the Electricity Business Modernization Team.

Edwin Núñez, President, El Salvador Transmission Company – ETESAL

Edwin Núñez holds a degree in Computer Systems Engineering and a Master's degree in Energy and International Relations. In the business world, he has led entities such as Greenlink Energy Central America and served as Chief Technology Officer at Logic Systems, Soluciones Tecnológicas, and Grupo Radio Stereo.

In the public sector, he has held positions in the San Salvador City Hall, including councilor, manager of Social Development, and director of International Cooperation and the San Salvador Development Corporation. He was also Director of Modernization and head of the Public Vehicle Registry at the Vice Ministry of Transportation.

Since 2019, he has chaired ETESAL, promoting the expansion of the electricity transmission system in El Salvador. He has served as a principal director on the Boards of Directors of EOR, UT, and EPR, and is a member of CECACIER. He currently leads telecommunications projects, bringing internet access nationwide and promoting development in key sectors such as education.

Henry Javier Orellana Mejía, Deputy Manager of Generation Contracts, National Electric Energy Company (ENEE), Honduras

Henry Javier Orellana Mejía is a distinguished Honduran professional with extensive experience in the electricity sector, specializing in the management of generation contracts, as well as in supervision, control, and telecommunications systems applied to the operation of the National Electric System. His career has spanned the National Electric Energy Company (ENEE), where he has significantly contributed to projects for the modernization, monitoring, and control of the country's energy infrastructure.

A graduate of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNA), he has incorporated technological innovation into the management and optimization of energy resources, promoting initiatives that strengthen the sector's efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. In his role as Deputy Manager of Generation Contracts, he promotes actions aimed at ensuring Honduras' energy security and fostering the comprehensive development of the national electricity system.

LUIS PÉREZ, Director General of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Guatemala

Electrical engineer with experience in regulation of the electricity distribution, transmission, marketing, generation, and large-scale users sectors. He holds master's degrees in business administration, energy, and the environment.

-He worked at the National Electric Energy Commission in the Tariff Management Department.

-He was a regulatory specialist at the transmission companies TRECSA/EEBIS, subsidiaries of the Bogotá Energy Group.

-He worked at the National Electrification Institute (INDE) as Deputy Manager of the Energy Trading Company and as Manager of Regulation, Market, and Environment for the entire INDE.

-At the regional level, he has advised the CRIE Commissioner for Guatemala.

-Currently:

He is Director General of Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Guatemala.

He is also the Director for Guatemala at the Regional Operating Entity.

He also serves on the Ad Hoc Committee of the MER Steering Council (CDMER), discussing the proposal for the Third Protocol to the Framework Treaty.

He is a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala.

Ambrosio Ramírez Pérez, Head of Proj. Dev. and Evaluation Subdirectorate, Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Mexico

Eng. Ambrosio Ramírez Pérez's professional experience has been consolidated in various strategic areas of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).

He currently serves as Head of the Project Development and Evaluation Subdirectorate (June 2025 to present), where he is responsible for reviewing the CFE's Development Program and validating preliminary electrical infrastructure projects.

Previously, he held key responsibilities in the Coordination of Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Project Development, in the Technical Management of the Thermoelectric Project Coordination, and in the Coordination of Testing and Commissioning of combined cycle and internal combustion projects.

He also served as head of the Electrical Engineering Department for Thermoelectric Projects, where his key responsibilities included preparing technical requirements for new projects, supervising detailed engineering, and coordinating with the National Energy Control Center (CENACE) to execute testing programs and implement the commercial operation of new generating plants.

Angel Rafael Salazar, Administrator, Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company - EGEHID

His professional training has been carried out at numerous universities, including the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), where he earned a degree in Mechanical-Electrical Engineering; the Loyola Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated as an industrial expert; and the Catholic University of Santo Domingo (UCSD), where he earned a Master's degree in Modern Management.

He has also completed other studies at the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), the National Institute of Technical and Professional Training (INFOTEP), the University of Miami (USA, Diploma in Electoral Campaign Management), and more.

Engineer Ángel Rafael Salazar Rodríguez is currently a professor at the Loyola Specialized Institute of Higher Education (IEESL) and the Catholic University of Santo Domingo (UCSD).

Between 1998 and 2001, he served as deputy mayor of the main municipality of San Cristóbal; From 2001 to 2002, he was the coordinator of the Advisory Board of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), where he later became Director of Engineering.

From 2002 to 2003, he served as Civil Governor of the province of San Cristóbal and from 2003 to 2004 as Deputy Minister of Public Works and Communications.

Joel Santos Echavarría, Minister, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Dominican Republic

Tiago Souza, Country Manager for Central America and the Caribbean, Prysmian

Tiago Souza has over 22 years of experience in the energy market, with responsibilities in the electricity sector spanning Generation, Transmission, and Distribution (GTD). He currently serves as Country Manager for Central America and the Caribbean at Prysmian, leading the Costa Rica-based unit's operations at all levels.

He has a solid academic background that includes an MBA in Business Administration, advanced studies in leadership, executive finance, and strategic customer management, all earned from prestigious Brazilian universities. He has held management and commercial positions in multinational companies such as Phelps Dodge, Tetralon, and Avon Cosmetics.

His career includes participation on boards of directors, mergers and acquisitions processes, and the launch of startups, demonstrating leadership, strategic vision, and management skills at an international level.

Rodrigo Vargas, Commercial Director for Central America and the Caribbean, Andrade Gutierrez

Holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. He also holds a Master of Business Administration and a postgraduate degree in Services Marketing from the Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM), Brazil.

With 17 years of experience in Central America and the Caribbean, he leads strategic infrastructure and construction initiatives in both the public and private sectors. He currently heads Andrade Gutierrez's international operations in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, and Mexico.

He has a solid track record in structuring and financing projects, in collaboration with development banks and multilateral agencies such as the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the United Kingdom Development Fund (UKEF), Hermes Euler, and Eksportfinans.

Edward Veras, Executive Director, National Energy Commission (CNE), Dominican Republic

An electromechanical engineer with a specialization in electricity, he graduated from the UASD (University of Valencia), where he also earned a Master's degree in Pure Mathematics. He has training in project management (PMI), statistical modeling, electrical system operation, electricity markets, and quality (ISO 9001). He is an adjunct professor of Mathematical Analysis at the UASD and was director of the Mathematics Institute (2014–2018), leading projects supported by the Mescyt (National Electric System Coordinating Body) and CIMPA (Central Electricity Commission).

He has 11 years of experience at the Coordinating Body of the National Electric System, where he managed projects on electrical operation, control protocols, and data improvement. He is co-author of a publication in the British Journal of Mathematics & Computer Science and of protocols adopted as national operational policies.

He has been a speaker at Mescyt (University of Valencia) and UNIBE (United States of America), and an electricity market consultant at INPROCA (National Institute of Technology). His profile combines teaching, research, electrical operation, and high-level technical consulting.