Ingener, a Uruguayan company with 25 years of experience, specializes in two main business lines: engineering and construction, developing energy infrastructure projects for the energy, industrial and services sectors; and operation and maintenance services for the same sectors. Speaking to CRÓNICAS, Santiago Tosar, Commercial Manager of the company, which also operates in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, discussed its participation in the UPM Paso de los Toros megaproject and the opportunities on the horizon.
How did the opportunity for Ingener to take part in the construction of the UPM Paso de los Toros mill come about?
Our relationship with UPM began with the construction of the first pulp mill in Fray Bentos, where we were one of the first companies to start working on the project. The relationship grew stronger once the mill began operating, and we have since carried out various operation and maintenance jobs.
The relationship was further consolidated with the UPM Paso de los Toros megaproject, where Ingener reached 25 contracts in different disciplines such as piping, HVAC, electrical, instrumentation and civil works, which drove the diversification of our company. We are committed to continuing to strengthen this bond during the operating phase of the second mill, with the possibility of offering our operation and maintenance services.
How many Ingener people took part in the project?
In mid-2022, Ingener reached its all-time staffing peak, largely due to our significant activity on the UPM Paso de los Toros project. Across all our projects and services, we reached more than 1,200 employees, about 800 of whom were working on this project.
What lessons did taking part in UPM Paso de los Toros leave for the company?
It was an extremely challenging project that allowed us to grow substantially as a company. Our activity was 10 times greater than at the Fray Bentos mill. Moreover, I would venture to say that growth was the common denominator for all the companies that worked on the project, showing that UPM Paso de los Toros gave a boost to the whole sector.
We must also bear in mind that the work was carried out in an extremely challenging context, with a pandemic in the middle of construction and the start of the war in Ukraine, which caused significant logistical side effects, such as higher commodity prices and difficulties in transporting materials. Even so, despite these adversities, the scheduled completion date was met.
At Ingener, we were able to tackle this megaproject very efficiently thanks to the high caliber of each of the people who worked on it, which allowed them to gain great experience and grow their skills.
How do these projects position the country?
Due to their volume and scale, these projects put us on the international map and allow companies to show that we are up to the demands of this type of activity, so that we can then replicate it, not only in Uruguay but internationally.
What development opportunities do you foresee in energy infrastructure?
Uruguay was at the forefront of the first energy transition, transforming its electricity mix into a practically 100% renewable one between 2012 and 2016, and at Ingener we are proud to have been part of that change through our participation in different projects. The country was able to undertake that necessary change, and local companies had the quality to carry out the projects.
The second energy transition will aim to decarbonize the entire energy mix, mainly in the transport and industrial sectors. The challenges are very significant, but so are the opportunities.
