- 718 m² of surface area has been painted with photocatalytic paint, which provides the purifying effect of 1,436 mature trees.
- The electric poles are constructed using 50% recycled aggregates from decommissioned structures.
- Interventions have already been implemented in Cerro Navia and Pedro Aguirre Cerda with active involvement from local residents.
As part of the Sustainable Infrastructure project, Enel Distribución is promoting new methods for constructing and maintaining its electricity grid, incorporating circular economy principles, environmental innovation, and collaboration with communities.
The initiative involves reusing materials from discarded poles—such as those damaged in accidents or scheduled for replacement—to create new structures. Concrete is recycled to produce new aggregates, and recovered steel is reintroduced into the production process, reducing the need for raw material extraction and extending the lifespan of the materials.
Additionally, the project introduces a technological innovation with significant environmental benefits: using photocatalytic paint with Photio additive, which turns surfaces into catalysts capable of removing polluting gases from the air through sunlight or artificial light.
Constanza Escobar, Innovation Manager at Photio, explained, "What the paint does is use the artificial light inside to carry out a process that transforms polluting gases."
One of the most significant interventions took place in 2024 in the Cerro Navia district, specifically on Lo Duarte Street, an area that has traditionally faced high pollution levels. After the electrical grid was upgraded in this neighborhood, poles made from recycled aggregates were installed and painted using this technology as part of a mural painting workshop conducted with community involvement.
Sonia Vega, a resident, stated, "Initially, we couldn't believe it. We questioned how something so amazing could happen. Most residents felt the same. Since Santiago and the nearby areas are highly polluted, especially Cerro Navia, which is in a basin, we then realized that this paint could help address the problem, at least partially."
The treated surface area in this case was 35 m², which provides the purifying effect of 70 mature trees based on the technical parameters of the additive used. Camila de la Quintana, Sustainability Manager at Enel Distribución, emphasized, "At Enel, we are convinced that actions in the territory can generate environmental and social value. That is why, beyond supplying energy, we aim to ensure that our infrastructure benefits the environment. This paint transforms poles into active decontamination surfaces, and its application is equivalent to planting 70 mature trees for each project."
Recently, the initiative was replicated at Enel's Operational Excellence Center, where new recycled poles were installed, and another day of collaborative work with local residents took place.
Overall, Enel Distribución has applied photocatalytic paint to 718 m² of surface, including a large mural of 650 m² at the Ochagavía substation (Pedro Aguirre Cerda), providing an environmental benefit comparable to 1,436 mature trees.
This approach offers a new perspective on electrical infrastructure, where sustainability extends beyond energy sources to include circular processes, clean technologies, and a proactive relationship with the territories.