IGU - International Gas Union

10/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/04/2025 02:39

The Latin American Gas Industry and Its Role in the Global Energy Evolution

The 10th Energy Week of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and its 27 Member States took place this year in Santiago, Chile, from September 30 to October 3.

The President of the International Gas Union (IGU), Mr Andrea Stegher, was invited to attend the opening session of OLADE 's 55th Meeting of the Energy Ministers, where he interacted, at the highest level, with the region's policy and decision makers, and made the case for Gas - in all its forms - and its critical contribution to regional growth and economic development.

Also, as part of the 10th Energy Week, a panel session on the "Future of Hydrocarbons" took place on October 30th, and enjoyed several key interventions from Mr Stegher on the role of fossil fuels in the context of a just and sustainable energy evolution. Mr Stegher argued that the energy future cannot be about a radical substitution, but about a gradual evolution that integrates new technologies, reduces emissions, provides energy security and resilience while addressing the needs of developing economies worldwide.

From left to right: Mr Fernando Monteverde, VP South America at Siemens Energy; Ms Cecilia Eguiluz, ANCAP President; Mr Andrea Stegher, IGU President; Mr Carlos Garibaldi, Executive Secretary at ARPEL

While in Santiago, the Natural Gas Association of Chile held a special edition of their "Natural Coffee" informal events, where the IGU President was its special guest. Mr Stegher shared with the invited guests how the Gas industry is evolving globally: from natural gas to LNG, to new technologies such as green hydrogen, biomethane, other renewable gases and carbon capture. Mr Stegher also commented on the role of Gas in electricity generation - and its role as an enabler of renewable energies - as well as on its impact on the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, where there is enormous potential to replace more polluting sources, strengthen competitiveness and improve air quality.

Mr Stegher also had the opportunity to discuss with His Excellency Mr Diego Pardow - The Minister of Energy of Chile - the role that natural gas plays as a support fuel for the transition to a cleaner and safer energy matrix.

From left to right: Mr Andrea Stegher - IGU President, H.E. Mr Diego Pardow - Chile's Energy Minister, Mr Carlos Cortes Simon - Chairman of Chile's Natural Gas Association, and Mr Antonio Bacigalupo - General Manager at GNL Quintero

The session titled Energy Evolution in the Natural Gas Industry brought together sector leaders from across Latin America to explore the role of Gas in the energy transition across Latin America and the Caribbean. Topics included the development of renewable gases, infrastructure modernisation, efficient resource management, and the role of Gas as a backup for renewable energy sources.

In this session, IGU's President highlighted the role of Gas, in all its forms, for human progress and global growth, as well as the need for the Gas industry's stakeholders from around the world - not just OLADE Member States - to pragmatically embrace the specificity of the energy pathways most suitable to their own nations' energy consumption profiles.

From left to right: Ms María Paz Alvear - Legal Manager, Gasvalpo; Mr Andrea Stegher, IGU President; Mr Bastián Osorio González - Head of Renewable Gases, Metrogas; Ms Belén Aravena - Contract Manager, ENGIE; Mr Edgar Blanco - Head of Engineering and Pipeline Works, GasAndes; Ms Nataly Martínez Soto - Deputy Manager of People, GNL Quintero S.A.

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