Sinergia Project

The Sinergía project is unique, as it combines water and solar PV energy. Hence its name, Sinergía, or "Synergy", reflecting how these two elements – energy and water – can produce greater results when used together instead of on their own.

The Sinergía project in the village of Totoral, the result of a partnership with Chile's Institute of Agricultural Development (INDAP), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, was developed with the aim of bringing water and power to this community. There have been several editions of this project since 2014.

Totoral is a village located in the Atacama Desert (Chile): an ancient farming community supplied by springs in the local area. It is located 132 kilometres south-east of the regional capital, Copiapó. The installation of these facilities brought clean and sustainable energy to the homes of every member of the village, along with the town square, the school, the church and the park; the socio-economic development of the region was also boosted by improving the quality of life of its inhabitants, and technical and administrative skills were developed to ensure that the facilities function properly.

The Project consists of:

• A 31 Kw solar power plant to supply electricity for the existing reverse osmosis plant used to supply drinking water to the town.
• An electricity distribution grid for the town with connections and a control cabinet for each specified home.
• A 55 Kw solar power plant to supply electricity for the irrigation pump supplying water from the community pond to the newly created watertight reservoir.
• A distribution network for irrigation water, at a regulated pressure of 4 Kg/cm², to each of the plot outlets, with a maximum area of 15 hectares.
• 4 photovoltaic lighting installations in communal areas.

Through these facilities, the Project has achieved:

• Provide clean and sustainable energy for local people, in their homes, the plaza, school, church and park, enhancing the town's living conditions and safety.
• Increase the socio-economic development of the region, improving quality of life for local people.
• Develop technical and administrative capabilities for the operation of the project.

Support from INDAP

INDAP reports to Chile's Ministry of Agriculture. Its objective is to support the development of small farmers through development actions to promote the creation and enhancement of human, financial and productive capital. Its ultimate goal is to contribute to eliminating poverty by improving the sustainability and competitiveness of the country's agriculture.

As part of this work, the Elecnor Foundation signed a collaboration agreement with this organisation to co-finance the Sinergia Project.

In order to guarantee the sustainability of the project, a corporate volunteer programme has been introduced to offer technical assistance and training to the local population in the maintenance of the constructed facilities.