Ignacio Pérez Arriaga is a Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management and maintains strong affiliations with Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, his alma mater where he graduated as an engineer in 1970. With over 50 years of experience in energy systems, he has advised governments and companies in more than 40 countries on electricity regulation and universal energy access. His work bridges academic research with practical implementation, focusing on creating viable frameworks for bringing electricity to underserved populations worldwide. Pérez Arriaga's research centers on power sector regulation, universal energy access, regional electricity markets, and off-grid electrification. He pioneered the development of the Reference Electrification Model (REM), a computational tool that creates detailed electrification plans for developing countries by analyzing technical, economic, and geographical factors. This work led to the creation of Waya Energy, a spin-off company implementing national electrification plans in 22 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. He also co-founded the African School of Regulation (ASR) to improve energy policy across the continent, currently serving as its interim president. His publications reveal a consistent focus on integrated approaches to universal energy access, with recent work emphasizing the Integrated Distribution Framework (IDF) that combines on-grid and off-grid solutions under viable business models. His research spans from high-level policy frameworks to detailed technical implementation, with particular attention to the economic and regulatory mechanisms needed to attract private investment for universal energy access. He recognizes that over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity, viewing this not just as a technical challenge but as a moral imperative that requires innovative business models and regulatory frameworks. Life Member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Engineering Co-founder of the African School of Regulation (ASR) Principal Investigator for the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty Co-founder of Waya Energy, implementing electrification plans in 22 countries Creator of the Reference Electrification Model (REM) Pérez Arriaga has mentored numerous researchers and PhD students who now work in energy sectors worldwide. His approach emphasizes practical implementation over theoretical work, focusing on creating actionable frameworks that can be implemented immediately. He currently splits his time between MIT, Comillas University, and field work across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, maintaining an active travel schedule despite being 76 years old. His work with the MIT Energy Initiative and the Rockefeller Foundation demonstrates his commitment to bridging academic research with real-world impact.
