Smart grid investment in South America to hit $38bn
New research by Northeast Group shows countries in the region will boost smart grid infrastructure to address reliability issues
South American smart grid investment will reach $38 billion by 2025 as it becomes a key region over the next decade, according to new research by Northeast Group.
The report estimates that the total investment in smart grid infrastructure In South America between 2015 to 2025 will be $38.1 billion, covering advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), distribution automation (DA), wide area measurement (WAM), home energy management (HEM), information technology, and battery storage.
The new research suggests that countries in South America are aiming to boost smart grid infrastructure in an effort to address problems including poor grid reliability, operational inefficiencies, electricity theft.
An estimated 9 per cent of South America’s electricity is stolen, reaching over 30 per cent in some areas.
The Northeast Group report shows the regions attractiveness as an investment location, “with developing regulatory frameworks and core business case indicators that point towards immediate benefits from smart grid infrastructure.”
Eight countries in the region are already running smart grid pilot projects, with Brail’s dating back to the mid-2000s.
Brazil also recently announced plans to install over 3 million new advanced metering devices, and is due to launch a variety of smart city projects.
