10 March, 2014
Montes del Plata to finance electricity supply for four rural public schools
The plan, which includes internet connectivity, will be implemented thanks to an agreement between the forestry company and the Elecnor Foundation of Spain in the framework of the "Luces Para Aprender" (Lights for Learning) program.
Through an agreement with the Elecnor Foundation, Montes del Plata will supply power to public schools near the company´s facilities in the hinterland that currently do not have electricity.
Thanks to a USD 40,000 investment, this year four schools will be equipped with photovoltaic systems to provide a renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly source of energy that is capable of meeting the schools´ lighting needs.
Furthermore, the system will expand and strengthen the scope of the Plan Ceibal (One Laptop Per Child) technology inclusion project by providing connectivity so that an increasing number of school-aged children can have internet access.
The Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), Elecnor Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay (MEC), Plan Ceibal and Uruguay state power company UTE are also taking part in this project, which is set in the context of the "Luces para Aprender Uruguay" (Lights for Learning Uruguay) program. Montes del Plata´s efforts will directly benefit the following schools located within the company´s area of influence: no. 121 of Tacuarembó (Rincón de Zamora), no. 18 of Maldonado (Los Cerrillos), no. 46 of Rocha (Garzón Arriba) and no. 13 of Río Negro (Isla de Arguelle).
"One of the commitments we have undertaken in Montes del Plata`s Management Policy is to contribute to the development of the communities in which we operate to ensure a socially, environmentally and economically responsible way of doing business. Undoubtedly, schools represent a hub, an important centre of the communities of the country´s hinterland. This is what motivated us to support this project, as we are convinced it will be a key element for the development of the schools and their surrounding communities," said Carolina Moreira, Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Montes del Plata.
Delivering power and internet to 66,000 schools in Ibero-America.
This local initiative is set in the context of the "Luces para Aprender" project that was approved at the 22nd Annual Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Education that took place in Paraguay in September 2011.
Coordinated by the OEI, the project aims to tackle challenges such as achieving access to quality public schools, fighting poverty and inequality and contributing to the development and well-being of communities. In this framework, photovoltaic solar panels will be installed to provide electricity. Internet-connected computers will also be furnished to over 66,000 schools in the Ibero-American region.
Along with Uruguay, other Ibero-American countries participating in the "Luces para Aprender" project include Colombia, Paraguay, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador and Bolivia.
About Elecnor Foundation
Elecnor Foundation was established in late 2008 in the context of the 50th anniversary of Elecnor, one of Spain`s largest companies and a leader in infrastructure, renewable energy and new technologies. Elecnor is present in over 30 countries and employs 13,000 people.
Elecnor Foundation is a non-profit private entity that is active in two main social areas: social infrastructure and research and training. Its purpose is to demonstrate the commitment of engineering activities with people and society. To achieve greater effectiveness, the Foundation`s work is closely related to the activities of Elecnor.
