AES Brazil has been awarded PAS 55 certification by the Institute of Asset Management.  The company is the first power generation entity in Brazil to receive such acknowledgement for their asset management practices. Receiving the certification is an indication of AES Brazil’s commitment to asset management and it demonstrates the level of maturity that the company has in place in terms of their asset management framework, best practices and maintenance execution.  The benefit of such excellence will directly influence AES Brazil’s clients who will enjoy more reliable equipment and less unexpected outages. In AES Tietê's case the equivalent forced outage factor reduced around 70% in 2011-12 when compared to the prior years of 2009-10. “For us, to be PAS-55 certified means we are managing the company’s assets in an organized, disciplined and efficient way, using the best practices recognized throughout the world”, says Renato Pagotto Bossolan, Asset Management Manager

In March 2012, Pragma was requested to assist AES Brazil with their preparations for the PAS 55 audit. Pragmamade a diagnosis based on their Asset Management Improvement Plan (AMIP). AMIP is a tool that has a strong correlationwith the IAM Assessment, which is the official toolfor PAS 55 certification. At the time of the AES Tiete evaluation, the company earned a 2.1 grade averageand Pragma’s ultimate goal was that ofPAS 55 certificationby December 2012.

Pragma’s team, under the guidance of senior consultant Marcelo Turchet, was responsible for three fronts: PAS 55 documentation with consultant Fabiano Schincariol, flowchart processes with consultant Paul Edson and preparation of corporate standards with consultant Marcelo Turchet, supported by consultant Umberto Rossi. AES Tietê team members, Director of Operations and Maintenance, Italo Freitas and Asset Management Manager, Renato Pagotto Bossolan, assisted with the process.

The management system included apolicy and strategy for asset management, asset managementplans, the implementation ofmaintenance routines, improvement of maintenance planswith RCMtechniques, preparation of mandatory documents of management system, records of asset management, cultural change, as well as commitment from all levels of management.

By October2012, Pragma started thecycle of internal auditsin accordance with PAS 55. Althoughwell prepared, severalnonconformities were detectedby the auditing team and became the focus of improvement in the months of October and November. From 3 to 7 December, AESTietê was audited by representatives of theIAM (Institute of Asset Management) and was recommended forPAS 55 certification with some minimal observations. The asset management system implementedaims to achieve productivity gainsand the availability of physical assets, as well as financial gain in the long term. Pragma’s contribution was exceptional, considering that the goal of certification in a period of only 9 months was challenging.

Since 1997, AES Brasil has been responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. With more than 7 400 people working for the AES Brasil group and an investment greater than US$ 4 billion ( 1998-2011), the company supplies 53,6 TWh of distributed energy, 2659 MW capacity installed and 13,9 TWh generated energy. AES Tietê is responsible for 18 hydroelectric plants in São Paulo and Minas Gerais and has a government concession valid until 2029, which is renewable for another 30 years. With more than 350 direct employees working exclusively on generation, the company appointed Pragma to assist with its physical asset management.