International clean energy expert, Patricia Darez, to lead DNV GL’s advisory team for an increasingly renewables-integrated region (photo: DNV GL)

DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has named Patricia Darez as country manager for Chile. In a market with active renewables development and mergers and acquisitions in both wind and solar, Darez brings a strong set of customer-focused and technical leadership expertise. She will focus on expanding DNV GL’s breadth and depth of services in Chile and surrounding countries. Darez has delivered more than 3GW of renewable energy assets, including wind and solar PV, across diverse markets in Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Americas.

The news comes as Chile, which was one of the world’s first energy markets to deregulate in 1982, has seen a quadrupling of renewable energy adoption in recent years, as the traditionally hydro-generated power scene has been challenged by repeated, extended periods of drought, natural disasters and global market forces.

“Patricia’s leadership in international renewable energy, and specifically in South America, is a powerful asset to DNV GL as we position ourselves to expand our focus on meeting the needs of energy stakeholders across Chile and the region,” says Carole Barbeau, DNV GL’s president of energy advisory, Americas region.

“I’m excited to join DNV GL and look forward to engaging customers with the ability to leverage our considerable resources and expertise to meet the needs of this dynamic market,” Darez says.

Darez has a deep understanding of the complex energy needs facing Chile and its surrounding countries. A multi-lingual chartered engineer with more than 12 years international experience in development and consulting, she was most recently a director at 350renewables, a consultancy that specialises in supporting developers of renewable energy projects across South America.

Prior to that, Darez served as energy analysis manager for Mainstream in Chile, supporting the development of approximately 1.5GW of wind and solar projects and providing solar technical advice across all markets. She also worked in the UK for Wind Prospect Ltd., advising a diverse range of clients including GE, EDF, and Exxaro. Darez is also a frequent keynote speaker and representative for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in South America, and a founding member of the Grupo Técnico de Energías Renovables (GTER), a platform for professionals and academics in renewable energy who work together to optimise industry best practices and provide tools to influence policy.

Darez holds a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.

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