“Copper for Tomorrow”: for a more sustainable energy future

If emissions targets are to be met, nearly everything that currently runs on fossil fuels will have to switch to electricity. As a result, demand for copper will grow at a rate never seen before in history.

That is why Indeco by Nexans, a leading electrical conductor manufacturing company in Peru, held the “Copper for Tomorrow” forum to discuss the role of copper in the new era of sustainable electrification and its importance in building a decarbonized economy.

Moderated by Journalist Jimena de la Quintana, the panel was comprised of industry leaders and experts such as Roque Benavides, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A; Julia Torreblanca, Vice President of Corporate Affairs of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde; Beatriz de la Vega, Tax Consultancy Partner and Leader of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG; and Alex García, General Manager of Indeco by Nexans.

Julia Torreblanca commented that companies must prioritize the operational sustainability of their copper extraction if they want to be a responsible player across the entire value chain. Efficiency and commitment will translate from planning all the way to final sale. “While Peru is being asked to play a more active role, there is a need for policies that promote exploration in the country and for companies to focus on the distribution and transparency of timely information through innovative channels. The main objective is sustainability over time,” she said.

Furthermore, Beatriz Vega mentioned that the energy transition requires the automation of key processes, alignment with policies focused on corporate social responsibility, and digitalization of important data. In addition, optimizing human resources and taking advantage of business opportunities, such as entrepreneurship, will also improve efficiency. “There are regulations that must be complied with to continue working with copper. In Peru, businesses must allocate greater importance to climate change and sustainability, both of which will have a large economic impact in the long term.”

Expert Víctor Albuquerque, Director of Sector Analysis of APOYO Consulting, indicated that about 75% of the world’s copper consumption is destined for electric conductors and that the volume of copper used in electric cars will be the main impulse of demand in the long term.

Regarding the energy transition in Peru, he further stressed that the country will also need to adapt to the reduction of carbon emissions through power generation plants, such as the Punta Lomitas wind power plant, where Indeco by Nexans is in charge of the medium voltage network.

Víctor Albuquerque said in closing that currently in Peru, 70% of residential construction is informal, so much of the effort should focus on the customer and keep educating those customers on the importance of climate change and sustainability.