Plan International and Elecnor Foundation sign an agreement to cooperate on water and energy projects

The Elecnor Foundation and the child rights advocacy organisation Plan International Spain have agreed to work together on international projects to improve access to water and energy in developing countries. 

Plan International Spain is present in 70 countries and operates in the fields of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance in 51 developing countries, working directly with 81.5 million children.

Sustainable projects

Plan International Spain is currently involved with renewable energy projects in countries such as Mali, where work is underway to improve access to quality energy through the installation of solar panels in rural environments. 

In Kita province, in the region of Kayes, Plan International Spain is working on a project that will bring solar energy to 20,000 people in 30 communities. The electricity will be used to illuminate schools and health centres, to power a solar kiosk where batteries can be charged, thus improving access to communications, and to operate pumping and irrigation systems, which will improve agriculture and save water. The project also involves 2000 women, who make up 100 community saving groups.

We would recall that the Elecnor Foundation has supported and brought to fruition a host of major social infrastructure projects leveraging its expertise in engineering, water management and renewables. These include the Luces para Aprender project in Uruguay, which, in partnership with the Organisation of Ibero-American States (OEI), has made the country the first in Latin America country where all rural schools have access to electricity and the internet, thus promoting educational, economic, social and cultural development. 

Also noteworthy is the H2OME project, designed as a  "multi-functional sustainable module" to supply drinking water and offer multi-purpose spaces. It consists of a number of recycled shipping containers that can be installed in a variety of ways for a range of uses, depending on the needs of each community. The module's versatility comes from using containers that can be easily and efficiently transported, adapted and installed. It can therefore be used in any location where access to water fit for human consumption is limited.

“We are delighted to have signed this cooperation agreement with the Plan International Foundation. There is a clear overlap between the goals of both Foundations, and we therefore hope to be able to carry out projects in countries of interest for both Foundations," said Fernando Azaola, Chairman of the Elecnor Foundation,

“We help to develop social infrastructure, in particular energy and water infrastructure, which is essential for developing countries and improves the life quality of their inhabitants," he added.

In turn, the Chairman of the Plan International Spain Foundation, Luis Rivera, said that the agreement "is a significant milestone, because Plan International advocates the rights of children. And the reality is that in today's world there are no rights without water and electricity". Rivera also emphasised that his organisation will be able to "draw on the Elecnor Foundation's expertise for all these programmes, satisfying the basic needs of more children in an efficient, sustainable and clean manner”.