Clean energy. Delivered. That’s our motto.
While 2020 has been a challenging year, there’s no doubt that our team of local energy professionals has allowed BMR to continue seamlessly delivering clean energy to our customers. We’re proud to have such a dedicated, talented crew spearheading the daily operations of our solar and wind facilities and helping us provide reliable, renewable energy to our Caribbean and Latin American communities. Meet the experts behind BMR’s clean power!
What is your name and title?
I’m Luis Fernando Sánchez Ruiz and I’m a mechanical engineer.
Where are you based?
Guatemala, Central America
Tell us about your role at BMR Energy.
I am part of the Green Solar Team and I’m responsible for the operations and management of the SIBO 7 MWp photovoltaic solar plant in Guatemala owned by BMR Energy.
How long have you worked in the clean energy industry?
I have been working in the clean energy industry since 2014.
What’s your favorite part of working in the clean energy industry?
The photovoltaic solar market has been growing exponentially in the past 10 years. One of my favorite parts of participating is learning and staying updated about new technologies that generate new solutions for today’s everyday problems; like bringing electricity to homes where the grid cannot supply it, reducing carbon footprint by generating and consuming renewable energy coming right from the sun.
How has COVID-19 affected your work day? What has been the most important takeaway or lesson for you during this time?
COVID-19 brought many changes in these months. From being able to go shopping at the supermarket whenever you want, or in my case go to the office every day. Working from home brings different processes and schedules than what you were used to. Some days working hours are extended without realizing it, but on the other hand one can avoid traffic by staying at home.
For me, the most important lesson is that life can change in any moment and you need to be able to adapt quickly. Keeping a positive attitude and enjoying what you have right now is crucial, because you don't know how much more time you will be able to have and enjoy it.
What is your outlook on the Caribbean/Latin American renewable energy industry in the next 5 years?
Currently, renewable energy is approximately 60% of the energy generation and consumption in Latin America, mostly hydraulic, according to the IBD. The Caribbean, on the other hand, uses mainly fossil fuels for its energy generation, but they want to increase the use of photovoltaic energy as a renewable source.
Both Latin American and the Caribbean have great potential to use solar PV plants for all their energy needs. Mainly because of the great solar irradiation the region receives, the increasing energy prices in the region, great government incentives on the renewable sector and the decreasing price for a solar technology investment. All of these factors make the perfect scenario to build a PV plant in our region.