Foz do Iguaçu will host the 23rd International Seminar on Public Utility Regulation and Tariff Design.
The event, organised by Quantum America, will take place from 13 to 17 April 2026 and will bring together executives, regulators and specialists from across the sector to discuss the future of public utilities in Latin America, with a focus on robust electricity networks, energy storage, renewable integration and new tariff models, among other topics.
Quantum America will organise the 23rd International Seminar on Public Utility Regulation and Tariff Design from 13 to 17 April 2026 in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, an event that will bring together professionals, executives and public officials from the energy and utilities sectors across Latin America to analyse the regulatory challenges facing the region amid a profound transformation of its energy systems.
“The focus of the seminar will be the main current challenges related to regulation, tariff design and the energy transition in the region. We will also address emerging trends, the rise of artificial intelligence and the new model of regulated utilities incorporating disruptive technologies,” explained Fernando Damonte, General Manager of Quantum America, in an interview with Energía Estratégica.
Transport electrification, the development of more flexible energy systems, and the complementarity between different generation technologies will also be addressed during the five-day event.
One of the distinctive features of the training programme is the flexibility and modularity of the agenda, which is tailored to different professional profiles. After more than two decades of experience, Quantum America has developed strong expertise in executive training, supported by the organisation of 22 international seminars and the participation of more than 1,500 attendees from across Latin America, in addition to numerous in-company training programmes delivered throughout the region.
This means that each participant can design their own agenda depending on their area of interest — Electricity, Natural Gas, or Water and Sanitation — and the desired level of technical depth.
The programme will also include comparative regulation sessions, such as:
- Comparative Electricity Regulation
- Natural Gas Transport Regulation in Latin America
- Comparative Regulation of Water and Sanitation
The full agenda, detailed programme and registration fees are available on Quantum America’s official website. Registration remains open, and those seeking further information may contact the organisers via WhatsApp at +54 9 351 205 2299 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].
Subscribers of Energía Estratégica will also be able to access a special registration benefit by using the promotional code ENERGIAE.
Why is the 23rd International Seminar focused on these topics?
“The energy sector has changed significantly over the past two or three years. All the global conflicts taking place today are causing major transformations in energy systems,” Damonte said.
For this reason, one of the central themes of the seminar will be the role of grid infrastructure in the new energy system, particularly in a context where distributed generation, digitalisation and electrification are increasing the operational complexity of power systems.
According to the executive, the development of modern electricity networks remains a key element that has not yet received sufficient attention. He argues that electric grid infrastructure must become the backbone of the future energy system, enabling the integration of multiple generation sources, emerging technologies and new market players.
In this regard, Damonte highlighted the need to rethink tariff models currently used in many countries across the region, which remain largely based on structures designed for centralised electricity systems, rather than evolving towards models that recognise the value of grid infrastructure, similar to other digital infrastructure services.
“We need to move towards a scheme closer to that used for internet services, for example, with a fixed monthly fee based on bandwidth. Electricity tariffs should have been reformed ten years ago, yet we are still operating with a tariff based on kilowatt-hour consumption,” Damonte said.
Storage, renewables and new system rules
Energy storage will also play a key role in the seminar’s agenda. This technology is beginning to gain greater relevance in markets with a growing share of renewable energy generation, but it also raises specific regulatory challenges, as it does not fit neatly within the traditional categories of the electricity sector.
“Storage is neither purely generation nor transmission — it can be both at the same time. Batteries are here to stay, and they require a specific regulatory framework based on free competition, allowing any player to install a battery at different points in the grid and provide the corresponding services,” the Quantum America executive explained.
The integration between renewable energy and distribution companies will also be a major topic of discussion during the seminar, requiring a cooperative approach between generators and distribution utilities in order to avoid regulatory conflicts that could slow the expansion of these technologies.
“There must be an alliance and strong synergy between renewable energy and distribution companies. Many regulations need to be adjusted so that distributors do not lose revenue as renewables expand, and so that they fully embrace their role as the operators of a robust, resilient and digital grid. That is their role in this new system,” the specialist said.
Nevertheless, the development of renewable energy also depends on the existence of appropriate regulatory signals and transparent market conditions, such as easier access to technical information and the simplification of grid connection processes for new projects.
In this context, the seminar organised by Quantum America aims to become a platform for exchange between regulators, companies and specialists, focused on jointly discussing the challenges facing Latin America’s energy systems.
“The seminar brings together professionals working in the field of public utility regulation, both from regulatory authorities and from companies. The goal is to create a space to share experiences, analyse regulatory models and discuss solutions to current challenges in public utilities. The idea is that regulators and companies can sit side by side and think together in a more relaxed environment,” Damonte emphasised.
The full agenda, detailed programme and registration costs are available on Quantum America’s official website. Registration remains open, and further information can be requested via WhatsApp at +54 9 351 205 2299 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].
Subscribers of Energía Estratégica can also access a special registration benefit using the promotional code ENERGIAE.
