AES is joining world leaders at the World Economic Forum 2024 to accelerate green energy solutions in the fight against climate change.
Our innovative decarbonization solutions are changing how the world is powered.
Renewables leadership
AES is leading the global energy transition, partnering with customers to help achieve ambitious sustainability goals and developing the renewable energy solutions the world needs to decarbonize.
Renewable energy is rising. Our energy infrastructure needs to keep pace.
Bernerd Da Santos, AES Executive Vice President and President of Global Renewables, explains the significant investments made by AES in various renewable technologies. These investments are essential for maintaining energy security and tackling the primary issue of climate change.
First-of-its-kind 24/7carbon-free energy solution with Google
With the knowledge that a 24/7 carbon-free energy solution was not yet available, Google set an unprecedented goal to rely on 100% carbon-free energy by 2030. AES and Google collaborated to create a cutting-edge carbon-free energy solution that provides Google's data centers with round-the-clock renewable energy. To meet Google’s needs, we tailored a combination of solar, wind, hydropower and battery energy storage resources.
Building Mississippi’s first utility-scale wind farm
The partnership between AES and Amazon for Mississippi's first utility-scale wind farm is revolutionizing the state's energy landscape. The 184.5 MW wind farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power over 80,000 homes while preserving agricultural land uses and generating tens of millions of dollars in local tax revenue.
State-of-the-art solar+storage system in Latin America
In Latin America, the Andes II-B project stands as the largest system of its kind, combining 180 MW of solar power with 112 MW of battery energy storage capable of lasting 5 hours. The development of a 10 MW pilot project using AES partner 5B's innovative Maverick technology is integrated into Andes Solar II-B; these prefabricated, modular structures enable panels to be installed in one-third of the time and on half the space compared to traditional solar systems.
Delivering Arizona’s largest wind farm
AES’ Chevelon Butte wind project holds significance in Arizona's history as the largest wind farm in the state, boasting a capacity of 454 MW, and the first newly developed wind farm in over a decade. Located at the Chevelon Butte Ranch in Coconino and Navajo Counties, we’re providing affordable renewable energy to Arizona while functioning on one of the longest-running cattle ranches in the state.
World’s first virtual reservoir
Chile's electrical system is strengthened by the integration of a lithium-ion battery bank into a run-of-river hydroelectric plant, making AES Chile's virtual reservoir the first of its kind in the world. Energy from a run-of-river hydroelectric plant can be stored in the virtual reservoir without the requirement of constructing a physical dam or water reservoir. AES Chile’s virtual reservoir is the world's first energy storage system to integrate a lithium ion battery bank into a run-of-river hydroelectric plant to strength Chile’s electrical system. The Virtual Reservoir stores energy from a run-of- river hydroelectric plant without the need to build a physical dam or water reservoir.
Green energy innovation
We are pioneers leading the development of new technologies that drive the energy transition forward, faster and at scale.
AES and innovation
Since our founding, AES has been a pioneer in energy innovation. From the first battery energy storage solution to one of the largest green hydrogen projects, we’re always at the forefront of change.
AES and Air Products advancing green H2 innovation
Bringing together joint expertise in innovation and efficiency, AES and Air Products collaborated to construct Texas' inaugural mega-scale green hydrogen production plant in the United States. Cost-effective green hydrogen is crucial to achieve net zero emissions targets, especially in difficult to decarbonize sectors, such as transportation and industry.
Accelerating hydrogen infrastructure development through hydrogen hubs
The US Department of Energy awarded AES grants of up to $1.2 billion as part of two regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. This builds on AES’ leading position as a prominent producer of green hydrogen in the United States through our collaboration with Air Products in North Texas.
First-of-its-kind solar robot
AES created a unique robot for solar installation that aims to improve the speed, effectiveness, and safety of scaling solar energy. By ensuring the safety of our skilled workforce and taking care of heavy lifting, as well as the placement and attachment of solar modules, the robot will enhance our team while also creating new high-tech job opportunities.
Unfolding the power of solar energy
In collaboration with 5B, we are eliminating typical obstacles to the implementation of solar energy, allowing companies to incorporate solar resources at a rate three times faster. The technology partnership also results in double the amount of energy generated within the same space as conventional solar installations.
Smart grid
Resilient transmission & distribution infrastructure and digital solutions to enable the energy transition
A partnership with X, the moonshot factory to develop the grid of the future
AES collaborated with X, the moonshot factory, to create grid virtualization technologies that aid in the reduction of carbon emissions, enhance efficiency and reliability, optimize for renewable energy sources, and improve forecasting and planning for weather events. Building on our 10-year strategic alliance with Google, this represents one of our inventive approaches to tackle global energy challenges.
Women building the grid of the future
From 2016 onwards, AES El Salvador has partnered with the Ciudad Mujer program, led by the Ministry of Local Development, to assist over 650 women in their professional growth. This support is offered through the Residential Electrical Installations Course, which provides technical training for women pursuing careers as electricians. The objective of this course is to provide women with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform electrical installations that are reliable, efficient, and safe. Upon completion, participants receive a certification as Electrical Technicians issued by the General Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET).
Partnering on grid enhancing technologies
AES and LineVision collaborated on a project to evaluate the potential of Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) in enhancing the transmission capacity of the current power grid. During this pilot, we aim to collect data through LineVision’s Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) to assess the optimal integration of renewable energy sources.
AES’ Uplight provides solutions to serve utility customers around the globe
AES' Uplight is a company serving more than 80 utilities worldwide by improving the customer experience of utilities and facilitating the transition to clean energy. Through a range of over 15 solutions, Uplight successfully saved customers more than $390 million on their energy bills.
Reliable, greener energy
Delivering diverse and tailored solutions to ensure reliability and accelerate a responsible and just energy transition.
Accelerating responsible and just energy transitions
To achieve a clean energy future, Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, AES Executive Vice President and President of Energy Infrastructure, emphasizes the importance of taking into account the distinct circumstances of each country and customer. This approach must effectively balance environmental sustainability, energy security and resilience, as well as affordability and inclusiveness.
Breaking the Dominican Republic’s reliance on oil
EnaDom, the joint venture between Energas and AES Dominicana, successfully reduced the Dominican Republic's dependence on oil by transitioning from traditional energy generation methods to natural gas. By implementing innovative infrastructure and delivery methods where none were previously available, we successfully transformed 750 MW of energy into more eco-friendly and dependable natural gas, resulting in savings of over $3 billion for the country and an annual reduction of 892,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
World’s first coal conversion project using molten salts
AES Andes is undertaking a pioneering initiative to transform a coal-fired power plant into a 560 MW storage system that releases no emissions by utilizing molten solar salts. This project will also preserve employment opportunities by providing training in the new technology for the workers at the current power plant.
Reliably transitioning Chile’s energy mix with energy storage
In collaboration with the Chilean Government, we aim to phase out 1 GW of coal by 2025, thereby decreasing the country's reliance on traditional power generation. Our goal is to achieve a 173% increase in renewable energy sources in the country by 2025 through the implementation of innovative and competitive energy solutions.
Investing $1.8 billion in Vietnam’s energy future
AES Vietnam, in collaboration with the Government of Vietnam, is making a $1.8 billion investment in that country's energy future through the Son My II combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) project. AES’ investment plans in Vietnam’s gas infrastructure will be enhanced by this 20-year contract, as it aims to diversify the current energy mix by incorporating imported LNG, while also meeting the rising demand for sustainable and cost-effective electricity in the region.
A clean energy pilot project provides a new green solution
AES' groundbreaking clean energy pilot initiative, which began in July 2021, successfully delivered the Dominican Republic's inaugural carbon-neutral natural gas shipment, serving customers in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. By facilitating these shipments, companies in the area can acquire carbon credits and utilize a fuel that offsets their carbon emissions to help achieve their sustainability goals.
Together with communities toward a responsible, inclusive and just transition
We are improving lives and empowering communities to advance a low carbon future through our impact on our planet and people.
Brazil’s first wind farms operated by women
AES Brasil, in collaboration with SENAI, graduated over 100 skilled women from the Technical Specialization course in Maintenance and Operation of Wind Farms. Following our Tucano Wind Complex in Bahia, AES Brasil's Cajuína Wind Complex will be the second wind project to be entirely operated by women. The local operation and maintenance of these two wind farms are now being exclusively overseen by female teams, making them the first in the country to achieve this milestone.
Growing agrivoltaics in Massachusetts
The Grafton solar project by AES is a cutting-edge community solar farm with a capacity of 2 MW AC, featuring 1.4 MW DC of battery energy storage. Through this project, the field of agrivoltaics is advanced through a combination of clean energy production, crop cultivation, and research partnerships.
Developing the workforce of the future in Hawaii
AES decommissioned 206 MW of coal-powered generation in 2022 and entered into contracts for 431 MW of new solar, wind, and energy storage initiatives in Hawaii. Before this retirement, we collaborated with stakeholders to create a responsible and just transition plan.
Reforesting Panama’s coastlines
AES Panamá Foundation and Wetlands International collaborated near AES’ Colón facility to restore and clean up a protected area. Over 40 volunteers from AES participated in the initiative, planting 300 mangroves that are indigenous to the region. Mangroves enhance biodiversity and act as a natural defense for Panama's coastlines, effectively tackling various issues such as climate change mitigation and the preservation of food and water security.
AES and sustainability
Why governments and companies turn to AES to meet their decarbonization goals
AES named #1 in clean energy globally for corporations
According to BloombergNEF (BNEF), AES was ranked as the leading global clean energy developer for corporations in both 2021 and 2022.
Accelerating progress toward our own ambitious climate targets
We are progressing towards phasing out remaining coal generation from our portfolio by 2025. Additionally, we aim to triple our renewables capacity by 2027 and achieve net-zero emissions from electricity sales by 2040.
AES is leading a responsible and just transition
We are a leader in the transition towards energy security, green electricity and the electrification of everything.
Enabling the energy industry to rapidly decarbonize through our innovative businesses
Our energy storage, digital energy efficiency, solar solutions, and electric vehicle businesses are growing to support other businesses and organizations to achieve their sustainability objectives.
Driving clean energy policy
Our collaboration with industry peers and governments aims to promote the adoption of clean energy while ensuring reliability and affordability.
Empowering individuals to easily reduce their carbon footprint
We are introducing new technologies in collaboration with our partners to enable individuals to simply and easily transition to more environmentally friendly energy sources within their own homes.
Meet AES
AES is a Fortune 500 global power company improving lives by delivering the greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs.
In collaboration with our partners, we are at the forefront of driving the advancement and adoption of innovative technologies to facilitate broad integration of sustainable energy solutions.
AES is investing billions of dollars in the United States and numerous underserved countries in leading technologies to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions.
Global scale, local impact
We’re accelerating the future of energy in 14 countries through our four strategic business units.
Renewables
Utilities
Energy Infrastructure
New Energy Technologies
Find out what we’ve been doing to accelerate a net-zero future since the WEF 2023 Annual Meeting.
Improving Lives Report 2022
ESG indicators
AES accelerates with AI
Pioneering end-of-life solar panel solutions
AES acquires largest permitted solar + storage project in the US
AES announces next decarbonization milestone
FAQs
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss non-profit foundation aiming to engage the top leaders in business, politics, academia, and other sectors of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. The institution comprises 1,000 leading global companies known for stimulating economic growth through innovative business and technological proposals. Membership is a selective process, provided by invitation only.
The ultimate mission of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is to "improve the state of the world." The organization believes in stakeholder capitalism, asserting that a company should serve not just its shareholders, but also its employees, customers, suppliers, and society at large.
Main goals of the WEF include:
- Promoting Public-Private Cooperation: WEF provides a platform for leaders from every section of society to brainstorm and collaborate on pressing world issues.
- Fostering a Spirit of Entrepreneurship: The WEF encourages practices that boost global economic growth and social progress.
- Building Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth: WEF emphasizes economic systems that benefit all stakeholders and enhance ecological sustainability. By fostering a space for discussion and collaboration, the WEF works towards achieving these goals.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) conducts various activities throughout the year. Its main spotlight event is the Annual Meeting held in Davos, Switzerland. This gathering brings international leaders together from diverse fields including politics, business, academia, and even the arts for strategic dialogues around global issues. At the gathering, attendees discuss topics like globalization, capital markets, wealth management, international conflicts, and environmental challenges and aim to identify possible solutions.
Apart from the annual meeting, the WEF also runs other initiatives linked to its mission, which include research projects focusing on key areas of concern, publication of insightful reports, and fostering communities of leaders who can drive change.
The WEF also organizes regional meetings and provides various digital platforms to further foster global cooperation. These gatherings are tailored to explore specific regional challenges and opportunities, mirroring the inclusive and diverse ethos of the WEF.
The two primary ways to gain an invitation to Davos include:
- Become a partner or member of the World Economic Forum: WEF membership is divided into tiers, with each tier carrying a certain number of delegate slots at the annual meeting.
- Be personally invited: Each year, the WEF extends personal invitations to a number of thought leaders and influencers, respected academics, and promising entrepreneurs to contribute distinctive perspectives to the Forum. Journalists are also invited to cover the conference.
Davos 2024 promises to garner global attention, addressing critical aspects from energy transition to AI and global healthcare. Here's a brief rundown of the top themes:
- Achieving security and cooperation in a fractured world
- Creating growth and jobs for a new era
- Artificial Intelligence as a driving force for the economy and society
- A long-term strategy for climate, nature and energy
These topics reflect the WEF's commitment to multidimensional problem-solving.
The Davos Conference in 2023, hosted under the theme "Cooperation in a Fragmented World," marked the 52nd instance of this influential gathering. The event paced through several critical themes, and here's a brief summary:
- Boosting Resilience: After some challenging years due to various global catastrophes, the conference emphasized the importance of creating resilient business models and systems.
- Reimagining Globalization: The forum discussed the evolving nature of interdependencies in a global landscape and the need for a cooperative approach.
- Accelerating Sustainability: A substantial part of the event revolved around sustainable living and businesses, and the urgency to step up actions against climate change.
- Parity Among Communities: From rural to urban, from different racial and social backgrounds, creating equality among all community levels was a focus.
- Future Space Economy: Intriguing discussions were held around potential economic opportunities as the world continues to explore space.
These discussions highlighted the role of collaboration in addressing shared challenges and shaping the future.