- This initiative by Enel Distribución, in partnership with the Municipality of Independencia, aims to reduce energy poverty and improve electrical safety in vulnerable homes through technical upgrades like inspecting electrical connections and renovating panels.
- The company advances a fair energy transition by focusing on efficient technology, education, and upgrades to infrastructure.
The Independencia Citizens' Lab program celebrated a milestone with the completion of "Your Energy, Your Home: transforming homes, reducing energy gaps." This project enhances safety and thermal comfort for 29 families in the historic Cité Echeverría. Developed in collaboration with the Municipality of Independencia and its Innovation and Social Development Corporation, it involved personalized social-energy diagnostics and the implementation of significant technical upgrades, including the renovation of electrical panels and improvements to the electrical system.
Since 2019, Enel Distribución has been implementing this strategy in neighborhoods like Renca, Recoleta, and Cerro Navia, and it has now expanded to Independencia for the first time to tackle critical issues, such as accidents caused by outdated installations and the high energy costs from inefficient appliances.
Monserrat Palomar, Head of Sustainability at Enel Chile, emphasized the importance of addressing energy poverty from a multidimensional perspective: "Energy poverty is one of the main issues in many cities around the world and also in Chile. This means that people do not have access to proper installations or responsible use of energy. With the 'Your Energy, Your Home' program, we do something very interesting: first, we diagnose each case; then, we improve the electrical installation to make it safe and up to date; and finally, we provide support with efficient technology, which is often difficult for families to afford."
Palomar also highlighted that the impact goes beyond infrastructure: "By improving the electrical grid, we reduce risks, improve quality of life, and help make family economies healthier and neighborly relations more harmonious. In this, the municipality was a key strategic partner."
Meanwhile, Independencia's mayor, Agustín Iglesias, emphasized the social and preventive importance of the initiative: "This project embodies social justice. We are aware of the significant electrical risks posed by many of these structures, and we have mourned fires that could have been prevented. This isn’t just about replacing cables; it’s about equipping families with the means to live more dignified and energy-independent lives."
Berta Espinoza, a neighbor of Cité Echeverría who coordinated her neighbors' participation in the project, explained that this was "a benefit for all the neighbors because some had very poor installations and many are tenants who couldn't fix them. So, this initiative benefited all of us," she emphasized.
The intervention featured a robust educational component with practical workshops where residents learned how to improve their consumption practices. Alongside structural upgrades, high-efficiency refrigerators were installed, and kits containing LED bulbs, extension cords, flashlights, thermal insulation materials, and other items were handed out.
After completing the work in February, the program moved into a technical monitoring phase to assess the results with community members. Through "Your Energy, Your Home," Enel Distribución reiterates its dedication to an energy transition that emphasizes safety, innovation, and tangible benefits for the economy and community life.