CRE

What CRE does

CRE (Cooperativa Rural de Electrificación R.L.) is a rural electricity distribution cooperative founded in 1970 that operates as the regulated electricity distributor across 14 of 15 provinces of the Santa Cruz department in Bolivia. Beginning with 10,000 associates, the cooperative has grown to serve approximately 670,000 consumers — making it the largest electricity distributor in Bolivia by energy sales volume and the world's largest electric cooperative by consumer count. Its physical plant includes 30 substations, medium and low voltage distribution networks, and isolated rural electrical systems, with 94% electrification coverage making Santa Cruz the most electrified department in Bolivia. CRE serves residential, commercial, large industrial, and agricultural customers, with dedicated account management (the GRACOS team) for medium and large demand consumers, and is part of the National Interconnected System (SIN).

The cooperative's revenue model is anchored by regulated usage-based electricity tariffs set by AETN (Autoridad de Fiscalización de Electricidad y Tecnología Nuclear), billed monthly to roughly 670,000 connections. Diversified revenue streams include municipal rate collection (Alumbrado Público and Aseo Urbano) on behalf of local governments, sale of smart meters at approximately $500 per unit, distributed generation grid integration services, and contributory social programs including the AMI (Asistencia Mortuoria Inmediata) funeral assistance program (2,200–3,700 families served annually). Its product portfolio spans the CRE Digital web portal (Oracle Forms-based), the CRE Móvil mobile app (iOS/Android), the CREcencio WhatsApp chatbot, the Simulador de Consumo consumption simulator, and the "Tu consumo real hasta hoy" real-time tracking tool. Advanced metering infrastructure (Medición Inteligente) has been deployed to 1,500+ consumers and 50+ industrial installations under the Intelligent Industrial Park project.

CRE is a cooperative owned by its associates, governed by a 9-member Administration Council and 9-member Surveillance Council, with four wholly-owned subsidiaries (FUNDACIÓN CRE, CRECE, MEDCO, TILUCHI) supporting nonprofit, health, education, and procurement operations. The cooperative holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 37001 anti-bribery certifications across its integrated management system. Multi-channel customer engagement combines 20+ consumer service offices, 30+ payment collection points (banks, microfinance institutions, pharmacies), a 24/7 call center (line 176), and digital self-service tools. Mario Carmelo Paz Durán serves as Gerente General.

Name

CRE

Legal name

Cooperativa Rural de Electrificación R.L.

Website

https://cre.com.bo

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CRE is a Bolivian electricity distribution cooperative serving approximately 670,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers across 14 of 15 provinces in the Santa Cruz department, operating as the largest electricity distributor in Bolivia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Andrés

HQ country

Bolivia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Electricity Distribution and Sales: CRE's primary revenue stream is the distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 670,000 consumers across Santa Cruz department. Revenue is generated through regulated electricity tariffs approved by AETN (Autoridad de Fiscalización de Electricidad y Tecnología Nuclear), billed monthly based on metered consumption across residential, commercial, and industrial categories.
2. Municipal Rates Collection: CRE collects municipal taxes on behalf of local governments — Alumbrado Público (Public Lighting) and Aseo Urbano (Urban Cleaning) — which are included in monthly electricity bills. These rates are determined by municipal ordinances and passed through to the respective municipalities.
3. Distributed Generation Connection and Services: CRE generates revenue from processing distributed generation (GD) project applications, grid connection approvals, and the sale of smart meters (approximately $US 500 per unit) to consumers who request advanced metering. Additional charges apply for services such as meter memory downloads and treatment for large consumers.
4. Smart Meter Sales: Smart/intelligent meters are sold to consumers who request the advanced metering system. The price is approximately $US 500 per smart meter unit.
5. Social Programs (AMI, Medical Brigades): The AMI (Asistencia Mortuoria Inmediata) program provides funeral services to members' families for a contribution, with approximately 2,200–3,700 services per year. Medical brigades provide free healthcare services to communities. These programs represent a social revenue/contribution stream from members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CRE is a regulated electric power distribution cooperative that distributes and sells electricity to approximately 670,000 residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across 14 of 15 provinces of the Santa Cruz department in Bolivia, via 30 substations and MV/LV networks tied to the National Interconnected System (SIN). It complements distribution with smart metering (Medición Inteligente), the CRE Digital portal, the CRE Móvil app, the CREcencio WhatsApp chatbot, distributed generation integration, energy efficiency advisory services for large consumers, and cooperative social programs (AMI funeral assistance, medical brigades, scholarships).

Product overview

CRE (Cooperativa Rural de Electrificación R.L.) is a rural electricity distribution cooperative serving approximately 670,000 consumers across Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The company's product portfolio centers on electricity distribution services for residential (domiciliario), commercial, and large industrial consumers, supported by a suite of digital customer-facing tools. The core offering includes traditional electricity supply alongside advanced technology services such as Medición Inteligente (smart metering with digital meters capable of real-time consumption monitoring and data transmission), accessible through the CRE Digital web portal and CRE Móvil mobile app (iOS/Android). Supplementary digital services include the CREcencio WhatsApp chatbot for customer service and QR-based bill payments, a Consumption Simulator tool, and real-time consumption tracking via 'Tu consumo real hasta hoy'. CRE also offers Generacion Distribuida (distributed generation programs enabling solar grid connections), energy efficiency advisory services, and social programs including AMI funeral assistance and medical brigades. The company operates under an Integrated Management System certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electricity Distribution Services
• Medición Inteligente (Smart Metering)

Quantifiable outcome

• Santa Cruz is the most electrified department in Bolivia with 94% coverage.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno (UAGRM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2026Formal cooperation agreement signed in April 2026 for digitization of Canal 11 TV Universitaria's signal. CRE donated a power transformer for electrical stability and funded a new HD digital transmitter. In return, CRE can broadcast informational messages and social program benefits through the channel.
• Red de 165 Casas Funerarias (AMI Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2015A network of 165 funeral homes across city and provincial locations participate in the AMI (Asistencia Mortuoria Inmediata) program, providing immediate funeral services (coffin/pomps fúnebres up to Bs 1,400) to member families upon death.
• Banco BISA S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial payment collection center for CRE electricity bills. Multiple Banco BISA branches across Santa Cruz serve as payment points, including the branch at Parque Industrial Manzano 9.
• Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the principal banking partners serving as a payment collection center for CRE electricity bills.
• Banco de Crédito de Bolivia S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanking partner serving as a payment collection center for CRE electricity bills.
• CIDRE IFDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicrofinance institution (Institution de Financiamiento para el Desarrollo) serving as a payment collection point for CRE electricity bills.
• IDEPRO IFDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicrofinance institution serving as a payment collection point for CRE electricity bills.
• FUNDACIÓN SARTAWI IFDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicrofinance foundation serving as a payment collection point for CRE electricity bills.
• Farmacia ChávezminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPharmacy chain serving as a physical payment collection point for CRE electricity bills.
• FarmacorpminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPharmacy chain being reincorporated as a payment collection point for CRE electricity bills as part of CRE's expanded payment channel strategy announced in April 2026.
• Autoridad de Fiscalización de Electricidad y Tecnología Nuclear (AETN)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe national regulatory authority that sets electricity tariffs, approves distributed generation projects, and oversees the electricity sector in Bolivia. CRE operates under AETN regulations and processes distributed generation applications in compliance with AETN decrees and resolutions.
• Hospital Municipal de San MatíascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established with Hospital Municipal de San Matías in April 2026 to guarantee adequate medical protection and attention for CRE workers in the Ángel Sandoval isolated electrical system region.
• Farmacia TrebolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Farmacia Trebol to ensure closer and more timely access to medicines and essential services for CRE workers in the Ángel Sandoval province.
• Centro Médico Medicina Cooperativa MEDCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEDCO provides healthcare professionals for CRE's Medical Brigade (Brigada Médica Solidaria) programs, delivering free medical services to underserved communities in CRE's service area. Over 2,300 services provided in a single brigade event.
• Colegio Médico de Santa CruzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical professionals from the Colegio Médico de Santa Cruz participate in CRE's free medical brigade programs, providing specialty care (ophthalmology, neurology, pediatrics, nutrition, dentistry, etc.) to community members.
• Internado Estudiantil San Leopoldo Mandic, Chané IndependenciaminorOthersCRE donated a 150 kVA power transformer to support the construction of a $1 million student boarding house for 80 youth, managed by the Capuchin Sisters. Funded through Croatian government contributions via the Croatian consulate in Santa Cruz.
• Parroquia San Juan Bautista, CuevominorOthersUnder the 'Apoyo a la Comunidad' program, CRE donated electrical materials (LED lamps, reflectors, wiring, electrical equipment) to improve lighting of the atrium of the San Juan Bautista parish in Cuevo municipality.
• Damas Voluntarias de Santa Cruz (Davosan)minorOthersAnnual participation in Davosan's Telethon for charitable causes. CRE donated Bs 69,600 to support treatment of low-income patients in Santa Cruz. CRE's contribution helped the charity reach Bs 1 million in total donations.
• Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de Santa Cruz / Alcaldía MunicipalcoreTechnology or IntegrationCRE collects municipal taxes (Alumbrado Público and Aseo Urbano) on behalf of the municipal government, included in monthly electricity bills. The municipal government sets these rates. CRE also receives recognition and coordinates community projects with municipal authorities.
• Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de Germán BuschminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRE coordinated with the municipal government of Germán Busch province to implement smart metering as the first provincial electrical system to adopt this technology, with large industrial consumers Gravetal and Nutrioil participating.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad): Mexico's state-owned vertically integrated electric utility. Comparable to CRE as a national-scale Latin American distribution utility operating under a regulated tariff framework with social/community mission — though at vastly greater scale and scope.
• ENDE (Empresa Nacional de Electricidad de Bolivia): Bolivia's state-owned national electricity company that operates across generation, transmission, and distribution. Comparable to CRE as a domestic electric power utility operating under the same AETN regulatory framework.
• Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE): Costa Rica's state-owned electric utility covering generation, transmission, and distribution. Comparable to CRE as a Latin American vertically integrated utility operating in a regulated framework with social-community obligations, though at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• COOPEGUANACASTE R.L. Costa Rican rural electric distribution cooperative serving the Guanacaste province. Directly comparable to CRE as a Latin American electric cooperative with social programs, member-owned governance, and a regulated distribution franchise.
• DELAPAZ (Distribuidora de Electricidad La Paz S.A.): Distribution utility serving the La Paz department of Bolivia. Closest direct comparable to CRE — same regulated business model, same AETN tariff framework, similar customer segments (residential, commercial, industrial), and similar social/community obligations.
• CESSA (Compañía Eléctrica Sucre S.A.): Electricity distribution company serving the Chuquisaca department (Sucre). Comparable as a regulated Bolivian distribution utility of similar size and customer composition, also operating under AETN oversight.
• ENDE Distribución (formerly DECA / Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica de Cochabamba): Electricity distribution company serving the Cochabamba department under ENDE. Directly comparable to CRE as a regulated Bolivian distribution utility with similar customer mix and tariff structure.
• Edenor (Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte S.A.): Argentina's largest electricity distribution company serving the northern Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Comparable to CRE as a regulated Latin American distribution utility with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial customers, operating under a public concession.

Regional players

• SEPSA (Servicios Eléctricos de Potosí S.A.): Electricity distribution company serving the Potosí department of Bolivia. Comparable as a regulated AETN utility in a different Bolivian department, with similar social/community program obligations.
• ENDE del Beni (formerly COSERMI / EDEL): Electricity distribution and rural electrification operator in the Beni department. Comparable to CRE in rural electrification and isolated-system operations, a core capability CRE has demonstrated since 1993.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/creessantacruz
• Facebookfacebook.com/cooperativaruralelectrificacion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cre-r-l-cooperativa-rural-de-electricidad

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CRE