Waldir Ayasta Mechán has been appointed as the new Minister of Energy and Mines by the government of José María Balcázar, taking office amid an energy crisis that has driven up fuel prices. His predecessor, Ángelo Alfaro, resigned following allegations of sexual assault. Ayasta, an electrical engineer by training, arrives at a ministry facing urgent challenges. The previous administration had already announced plans for the construction of a regasification plant aimed at processing natural gas and increasing the country’s reserves. This measure seeks to prevent future supply crises, such as the recent one caused by the explosion in the Camisea pipeline.
Moreover, one of his main challenges will be to secure economic investment in Petroperú, which is crucial for revitalizing its operations. With a professional career spanning 25 years in the electrical sector, Ayasta previously served as the corporate manager of Planning and Investment Projects at Electronortemedio S.A. and was the Deputy Minister of Electricity in 2025. The new head of Minem is a graduate of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo and holds a specialization in Executive Business Management from the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. His experience includes work at companies such as Grupo Distriluz and Electrocentro.
For more information on the country’s energy situation, you can read the analysis on the international rise in oil prices here.
