Benchmarking Analysis of the Electricity Distribution Sector in the Latin American and Caribbean Region

Abstract

Benchmarking the electricity distribution segment in the Latin American and Caribbean Region (LCR) is a means of providing countries and utilities with a point of reference regarding their performance. The objective of this report is to fill in the knowledge gaps that exist regarding the status of electricity distribution by benchmarking utility performance at the regional, country, and utility level. This report serves as a standard reference for and defines good and poor electricity distribution performance in Latin America and the Caribbean. Considering the changes that have shaped the power sector during the last decade, this benchmarking report provides country and utility level direction and a framework of comparison for identifying where they stand in relation to the others, detecting their strengths and weaknesses, and setting goals for improvement. The purpose of benchmarking the power sector is to provide a detailed description of the electricity distribution segment in the LCR and to identify and rank the best performers in the region. This report is designed to be solely factual, aimed at describing electricity distribution performance at the regional, country, and utility levels and does not assume, at this stage, an analytical or explanatory role. Additionally, this study will contribute towards a more consistent benchmarking analysis in the electricity distribution segment and serves as a path-breaker for other regional benchmarking initiatives. This benchmarking initiative contributes primarily with the collection and analysis of detailed data for 26 countries and 250 utilities that represent 88 percent of the electricity connections in the LCR.