This ESCO (energy service company) type initiative aims to develop, install, finance, operate and maintain projects to improve energy efficiency throughout the region. It is intended to be rolled out in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru and certain Central American countries, among others. For the Veolia-EPM alliance, the conservation of natural resources and regional development based on a sustainable economic development approach are of the utmost importance.
On Friday, Veolia and EPM signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of energy efficiency services in Latin America. This partnership comes under the France-Colombia Strategic Committee launched in January 2015 by the two countries' presidential authorities, and was signed in Medellín by Ramon Rebuelta, Executive Vice President for Latin America at Veolia, and Juan Esteban Calle Restrepo, Chief executive Officer of EPM and Leader of the EPM Group.
The EPM Group is a group of Colombian companies based in Medellín with operations in Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama. Its activities notably encompass the production, transmission and distribution of energy. It is the leading public services company in Colombia, the second largest in terms of its assets, and reported revenue of COP11.5 billion in 2014. The EPM Group provides services to 20 million people.
Energy efficiency helps offset the increase in global energy demand while at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are contributing to average global warming. It also improves the competitiveness of those companies that choose to moderate their energy consumption without cutting back on their business activity.
For Antoine Frérot, 'This partnership is an opportunity to develop energy services based on new and innovative solutions that will deliver added value for the citizens, companies and industry of Colombia and Latin America. With this alliance, which is broadly based on its international experience in energy efficiency, Veolia is reaffirming its position on the Latin American energy market, a focus for strategic growth in this region. Reflecting our DNA, we are committed to taking a front-seat role in the conservation and renewal of available resources, while at the same time encouraging sustainable growth for the wellbeing of local communities.'
Juan Esteban Calle Restrepo, Leader of the EPM Group, is equally delighted with this decision, 'This alliance has been forged in the year in which EPM is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and will enable us to be involved in the rollout of solutions to encourage the competitiveness of our customers in Colombia and in all the other countries where we are present, and to contribute to consolidating sustainable and competitive regions. This initiative above all underscores our belief that energy efficiency contributes directly to protecting the environment, the wellbeing of communities, and the competitiveness of industry and commerce through innovative solutions serving communities.'

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