Director, legal affairs | Energía del Pacífico
Mario Ayala
Director, legal affairs | Energía del Pacífico
Mario Ayala Claros
Director for Legal Affairs
Invenergy/Energía del Pacífico
What are the major projects or initiatives you have worked on that you are most proud of?
In general, I must say that I am proud to work at the first natural gas-fired power plant in El Salvador. This project has not only contributed to the diversification and transition of the country’s energy matrix, but it has also brought several benefits, including reduced energy costs, environmental improvements, and social and economic development initiatives for the communities surrounding our facilities. These initiatives have positively impacted local residents, while also positioning the country as an energy exporter in the region.
Having transitioned from a construction project to a fully operational generation plant two years ago, one of the initiatives I am most proud of is the adaptation of all the necessary permits, authorisations, policies, and internal procedures to comply with the legal, contractual, regulatory, and financing requirements for this new phase.
Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to work on analysing the viability and legal requirements for the development of new business opportunities, whether through the expansion of our power plant’s generation capacity or the integration of natural gas into Salvadoran industries, among other possibilities.
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?
Energía del Pacífico has recognised its holistic role in the Salvadoran electricity market as a key player in the country’s energy transition process. As a result, it has made several commitments to its stakeholders, including supplying approximately 30% of the country’s energy demand, significantly reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and executing initiatives focused on economic development and social benefit for the communities living near the project’s facilities, among others. These commitments require the direct involvement of the legal department to ensure they are properly structured and implemented, and that each initiative is carried out in full compliance with the legal, contractual, and regulatory framework.
In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently?
From my personal perspective, El Salvador is currently undergoing a significant and innovative transformation, which has necessitated several regulatory changes by governmental authorities aimed at creating a dynamic and thriving business environment for both local and foreign investors across various industries. The goal is to propel the country into an era of economic growth and prosperity. Over the past couple of years, the Salvadoran business ecosystem has been bolstered by the approval of laws that specifically regulate strategic investments in energy, utilising innovative techniques, in infrastructure to expand the country’s port operations, and in technology to facilitate digital connectivity and the use of digital assets, among others. As a legal team, we strive to stay alert to these changes in order to ensure compliance and remain ahead as a key player in the future of the energy industry.
Director, legal affairs | Energía del Pacífico - Invenergy
Manager of legal affairs | Energía del Pacífico
Since 2014 Mario Ayala Claros has served as manager of legal affairs at Energía del Pacífico, a company in charge of the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a power...
