Launch of the H2OMe Angola project
The H2OMe project, a sustainable multifunctional module developed by Elecnor's R&D&I division for the supply of drinking water, will soon be located outside of Spain for the first time: Angola. This commenced with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Elecnor Foundation and the Eduardo dos Santos Foundation(FESA) which will permit the installation of the system in Gove, very close to the hydroelectric plant in which Elecnor played a part during its refurbishment a few years ago.
Both this, as well as all the other events happening over the following days (among them the laying of the first stone) were of special significance for the Elecnor Foundation and for the Group, occurring in the year in which the Elecnor Group celebrates the 25th anniversary of its stable implementation in the country.
Signing of the agreement
The formalisation of the cooperation agreement between the Elecnor Foundation and FESA took place at the headquarters of the latter. The signatories were, on behalf of FESA, its Deputy-Chairperson, María Antonia Nelumba and, on behalf of the Elecnor Foundation, the Chief Executive Officer, Rafael Martín de Bustamante. Also present was the FESA Chairman, Ismael Diogo da Silva.
During the event, the most senior representative of the Elecnor Foundation declared: Today is a special day for Elecnor because the innovative spirit, the entrepreneurial vocations and the sincere social commitment with which our Foundation was created 8 years ago, has become a little more real. Values which are all inspired by a clear desire to serve society, with a particular focus on the more vulnerable groups". And about the project itself and its significance, he stated: “I would like to highlight the symbolism and significance of this project, considering that Angola will be first site for H2OMe in Africa, representing our sincere commitment to this great country. New and permanent, because our Foundation is not looking for a temporary solution for basic needs, but rather address them in a systematic and sustained manner over time".
Laying of the first stone
Three days later, on Thursday 11 February, the delegation from the Elecnor Foundation moved to Gove (Huambo), the town where the project will be carried out.
Upon arrival at the airport, the enthusiasm that the people living in the area have for the arrival of the project was palpable. The delegation was received by the Managing Director of Energía de Huambo and a around 100 women wearing typical dresses of the province. In Gove, the majority of the population were waiting at the fenced off site to witness the laying of the first stone. The elderly, women and children gave an exceptionally warm welcome in an emotionally charged setting, as they knew that the arrival of drinking water would put an end to many health problems.
During the ceremony for the laying of the first stone, an urn containing that days newspaper, some coins and the technical project was also buried. After the institutional speeches, Oscar Ajenjo, Manager of Elecnor Angola, carried out a presentation of the project. This occasion also demonstrated FESA's power to gather the media and local authorities.
Reception of the Vice-Governor of Huambo
After the ceremony for the laying of the first stone, the representatives of the Foundation made a short visit to the Gove hydroelectric plant which, as is widely known, was refurbished by Elecnor after two years of works which were completed in 2012. The purpose of the H2OMe installation is to create drinking water from the water originating from that plant and distribute it to nearly 10,000 inhabitants in the area.
The delegation then returned to the capital Huambo, where they were received by the Vice-Governor for Economic Affairs, Joaquim Rodrigues da Conceição.
During this act, the official documentation of the project was handed over to FESA, which included the public sale of the land to FESA for the project and the construction licence.
Reception at the Spanish Ambassadors residence in Luanda
To complete the events for the launch of the H2OMe project, Julia Alicia Olmo y Romero, the Spanish Ambassador in Angola, organised a cocktail party at her residence to present the project. Around 40 people attended, representing the government, public companies and several embassies from Latin America. Oscar Ajenjo, Manager of Elecnor Angola, once more carried out a presentation of the project after the viewing of a video about the project.
And so ended an intense week which represents a significant move forward for the Elecnor Foundation and its desire to bring the H2OMe system into general use, and at a time when there is increasing awareness of the drinking water supply problems suffered by more than half the world's population.
