2020 Community Investment Funds launched online
The 2020 Community Investment Funds were launched online with the participation of Kim-Fa Bondi, the Regional Ministerial Secretary of Energy for Atacama, and Miguel Ángel Alarcón, who is responsible for the Productive Development Unit at the Municipality of Freirina. These funds jointly involved Aela Energía and Latin America Power for the second consecutive year, who operate the Sarco and San Juan wind farms, respectively.
They are the result of regular engagement throughout the year with communities at Chañaral, Los Burros, La Reina and Carrizalillo, through working groups that review short, medium and long-term initiatives, which are then submitted to the Community Investment Fund.
The fund expects to finance projects that total Ch$120 million, where Aela Energía has provided Ch$90 million and Latin American Power Ch$30 million, which will support social projects that add value to communities neighboring both plants. This financing is spread across three main categories, which are: Environment and Energy Efficiency, Education and Culture, and Entrepreneurship and Tourism.
Furthermore, a special category was added this year for projects that address the health, economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic within the community, due to the national restrictions imposed during this emergency.
The Regional Ministerial Secretary of Energy for Atacama, Kim-Fa Bondi, said that "once again, we appreciate that the Sarco and San Juan wind farms have provided resources within their commitment to community engagement and their continual dialog with their neighbors in Carrizalillo, Chañaral de Aceituno, Los Burros and La Reina. These projects have a significant impact because they have been suggested by the community itself, and we have participated in a transparent evaluation process for the second consecutive year, which we are confident will have a positive impact on the development of these communities.”
The mayor of Freirina, César Orellana, commented that "we are grateful for these initiatives, and our administration always finds it remarkable when local organizations are given access to financing, in this case from private companies.”