To enhance access to clean water and sustainable energy, the National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA), in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), unveiled a groundbreaking project yesterday in Joya de Cerén, a municipality nestled in San Juan Opico, La Libertad.
The initiative targets the improvement of potable water infrastructure and the integration of photovoltaic technology. It notably benefited 900 families affiliated with the Joya de Cerén Water System Management Association (ACASAJOCE) in San Juan Opico. The project’s cornerstone lies in the installation of 60 solar panels, constituting a hybrid energy supply system.
Rubén Alemán, President of ANDA, underscored the project’s broader aim, stating, “This project aims to ensure the sustainability of our potable water and sanitation sector. Our mission extends beyond urban areas, and to achieve this, we have a key partner, Spain. This is a comprehensive project, featuring 60 solar panels, a form of hybrid energy.”
The 60 solar panels boast a capacity of 33.3 kilowatts, promising substantial savings of 40% to 50% on electricity bills.
Fernando Rey, the General Coordinator of AECID, emphasized the project’s significance within the larger framework of bilateral agreements. “The project we are inaugurating seeks to enhance water pumping using these solar panels, integrating a hybrid system of solar and conventional electrical energy. It is part of a macro-project comprising 30 initiatives jointly spearheaded by ANDA and the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Mines,” Rey explained.
He further elaborated that the endeavor aligns with a bilateral accord inked between Spain and El Salvador in 2023, earmarking concerted efforts to uphold the right to water in peri-urban areas from 2023 to 2026.
With an investment exceeding $70,000 USD from AECID funds, the project is set to benefit over 5,500 inhabitants across various sectors in San Juan Opico, including Calle A, B, and C, Ceiba de Agua, El Progreso, La Escuela, El Jocote, San José, La Ranchera, and El Manantial.
The inauguration of this pioneering initiative marks a significant stride towards fostering sustainable development, ensuring equitable access to essential services, and fortifying the longstanding partnership between El Salvador and Spain in pursuit of shared goals of prosperity and well-being for all.