Energy Transition Roadmap
Free program launched to improve energy conditions in Metropolitan Region homes
Published on Monday, 7 August 2023
- This year, the initiative will benefit 53 families in the community of Cerro Navia, who will have access to solar-powered water heating systems, the replacement of appliances, repairs to risky electrical connections, energy efficiency kits, and an upgrade to their heating systems to make them more energy efficient.
Santiago, August 4, 2023.- Improving the equal access to high-quality energy services helps bridge our country’s energy gaps. With this objective in mind, the “Energy and Water Inclusion Program” was created as a public-private sector initiative driven by EGEA ONG, EBP Chile, the Energy Poverty Network, the municipal government of Cerro Navia, Enel Distribución, and Sociedad Transmisora Metropolitana del Grupo Saesa (STM), in order to implement concrete actions to optimize the energy conditions in Metropolitan Region homes.
The initiative was presented this past Thursday in the Aurora de Chile community in Cerro Navia, in an event that included the participation of the Regional Minister of Energy, Ivan Moran, the mayor of Cerro Navia, Mauro Tamayo, the CEO of Enel Distribucion, Victor Tavera, the Metropolitan zone manager for STM, Jorge Villar, and Matia Plass, from Consultora EBP Chile.
“We are really excited about the implementation of the “Energy Inclusion Program” in Cerro Navia because it is a project that aligns perfectly with the development of our own Local Energy Strategy, according to the Community Development Plan. We have developed this instrument with a high level of participation from the community, and public and private sectors. What better than to work together in this commitment, not only to improve the quality of life of our residents, but also to contribute to energy efficiency starting in the home,” says mayor Mauro Tamayo.
Additionally, Patricia Perez, president of the Villa Aurora de Chile Neighborhood Association notes that: “Our neighborhood was overlooked for many years (…) so I think this is going to be beneficial, clean, it’s something that is going to help us recover for the future, and leave a good legacy for our children and grandchildren in terms of new types of energy. We are all happy and excited to participate in the workshops. All of us here are really active in the community.”
The project will begin with an energy poverty assessment to identify clear opportunities for improvement, such as replacing home appliances, providing energy efficient heating systems, repairing dangerous electrical connections, and installing hot water solar panels. The project will also implement workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energies with the goal of orienting people around responsible and efficient electricity consumption.
“Improving the equal access to high-quality energy services helps us bridge the energy gaps that still exist in our country. We are committed to continue working towards this goal, improving infrastructure through energy efficiency, while also generating more opportunities for public-private collaboration to benefit the community,” explains Víctor Tavera, CEO of Enel Distribución.
Likewise, Jorge Villar, Metropolitan zone manager for STM, says that “We are thrilled to collaborate in these kinds of initiatives, where several players come together to look for innovative solutions that can make a tangible contribution to the residents’ quality of life in the Metropolitan Region. Our focus is on providing energy solutions and educational workshops to the community. This is part of our commitment to contribute to equity in terms of electricity quality and access, which is fundamental to community development.”
Meanwhile, the Regional Minister for Energy in the Metropolitan Region, Ivan Moran, notes that “Energy is essential to improving the quality of life, which is why we aspire for its to become a driving force for change and improvement in the well-being of all people. We are working towards universal and equitable access to good-quality energy services, while increasing its efficiency and driving social and economic development. As the Ministry of Energy's representative in the Metropolitan Region, I am convinced that collaboration is fundamental to society. That is why the "Energy Inclusion" program, a public-private partnership between the Municipality of Cerro Navia, ENEL Distribucion, and Sociedad Transmisora Metropolitana (STM) as part of the SAESA group, is crucial to ensuring that resources reach the territories in a way that is concrete and beneficial for users, adapting to the different realities of each community.
At this time, 53 families will benefit, which is equivalent to more than 200 people from Cerro Navia, who will see multiple positive outcomes in their daily lives. The project is expected to generate around 10% savings in monthly energy consumption, reduce CO2 emissions through the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as create new job opportunities with a gender focus, among other benefits.
“In this way, the Energy and Water Inclusion Program represents a collaboration platform where our goal is to mobilize more players from the public and private sectors to develop concrete actions to address energy poverty in Chile and Latin America,” explains Rubén Méndez, cofounder of EGEA ONG and Local Sustainability Manager for EBP Chile.