Rural electrification and connectivity project benefits 225 people in Sabana Real

By Indotel

This is a machine translation of the original press release issued in Portuguese.

Sabana Real. A new stage begins in this community in the municipality of La Descorta, province of Independencia, with the launch of a solar microplant that will supply its inhabitants with clean energy for their essential and productive activities.

The work, which had a cost of RD$40 million, is a joint effort of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (Mepyd), Edesur Dominicana, the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) and the La Bella de Sabana Real Cooperative, with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union.

Likewise, Indotel, through the Telecommunications Development Fund, installed a Wi-Fi network with satellite connectivity so that locals can access the internet for their education, online training, telemedicine and remote work opportunities.

The electrification of the town will benefit more than 225 community members in 81 homes, 11 businesses, two churches, a community school, the cooperative, a military post and a park ranger booth with a lighting service that will improve the comfort and security of this rural area, allowing them to enjoy a more dignified and healthy life.

In addition, it will generate opportunities for economic growth by encouraging the use of new technologies that facilitate the creation of businesses, access to information and communication. Likewise, it will promote the modernization of agriculture by allowing the use of machinery, irrigation systems and conservation technologies, improving productivity and efficiency.

Wilson Núñez, director of Energy Infrastructure, thanked on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Mines, Antonio Almonte, all the institutions and people involved in making this dream of the locals a reality.

"Today it can be said that there is a before and after for this community, which from today will become a true Sabana Real," said Núñez during the inauguration ceremony.

In that sense, the coordinator of the La Bella association in Sabana Real, Nelson Montero Rosario, also thanked the launch of this initiative, which he said will greatly benefit the community. «Things have changed for the better. We no longer have to depend on gas lamps or cigar torches to illuminate our homes," he said.

Marta Josefina Sena Méndez, a resident of the area, assured that this development will allow many achievements in the town, since "we have a new life that our children and grandchildren will take advantage of to do their schoolwork or start a small business."

Likewise, Olaya Dotel Caraballo, Vice Minister of International Cooperation of Mepyd, indicated that this project benefits the community, while helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

"We are facing the development of an initiative that has not only responded to the issue of interest for our country, for the development of the border area, but also contributes to the conservation of the environment by preventing the effects of climate change," said Dotel. Caraballo.

For his part, Melvin Asín, head of Cooperation of the European Union in the Dominican Republic, said that this organization has the utmost interest in taking more and better advantage of the potential of renewable energies to expand the energy matrix and provide energy services. sustainable and modern, while addressing the challenges of climate change.

Asín highlighted that with the implementation of this micro-power plant, access to energy services is increased and greater energy independence is achieved through the generation of 100% renewable energy.

Finally, Clemens Findeisen, director of the GIZ Energy Transition Project, stated that this project will serve as a model for other communities in the country.

"Once again, it has been an honor from GIZ to serve you to make this a reality," he emphasized.

More connected

Likewise, access to a satellite internet network was left in operation in this community, through the Connect the Unconnected project, contained in the Indotel Biannual Project Plan.

The president of the Indotel Board of Directors, Nelson Arroyo, stated that these actions are part of President Luis Abinader's vision of putting people at the center of public policies.

«It fills me with satisfaction to know that today, not only does electricity reach Sabana Real, but also connectivity. From Indotel we have undertaken projects to bring connectivity to this community and to the most remote areas of the country," he emphasized.

Arroyo highlighted Indotel's commitment to comply with Decree 539-20, in which the Government established broadband internet access and the productive use of ICT as a high priority.

This effort will allow the inhabitants of this district to improve their lives, and have access to information, training and communication.

Details of the micro plant

The Sabana Real micro solar power plant is a system that generates electricity from solar panels that capture and transform the sun's rays.

It has a maximum power of 55.2 kWp and a storage capacity of 245.7 kWh in lithium batteries, which ensures that it can provide electricity for two days without depending on external sources.

Johnny Cabrera, director of Energy Regulation and Purchasing at Edesur, announced that preventive and predictive maintenance will be given every three months to this micro-power plant, which will be monitored from a long distance.

The electricity is distributed through 1,800 meters of cables with different voltages and five transformers that adjust the voltage levels according to the needs of the users.

Community members will have a prepaid energy service, which means that they will be able to pay for the amount of energy they wish to use and control their consumption through recharges. This way, they can optimize their energy use and save money.

The micro-central was inaugurated in the presence of Erick Dorrejo, director of Development Policies of the Border Zone of the Mepyd; Clara Aquino, general director, of Ángel Cuevas, priest of the Cáritas Organization; Nelson Rosario, community leader; Mercedes Novas, governor of the Independencia province; Pascual Pérez, mayor of the La Descorta municipality and dozens of community members.