About the Énergie Solaire Pour L'Éducation Project

The aim of the project is to consolidate all Don Bosco socio-educational activities in Ebolowa by providing stable and quality electricity to all ongoing projects. Stable, quality electricity, which will be provided by a photovoltaic system, will guarantee the activities at the technical institute, boarding school, youth centre, radio station and the free water supply to the neighbourhood.

Don Bosco's mission could be consolidated through saving on the energy costs associated with using a generator. The mission will also save money on maintenance, as the expenditure currently spent on repairing problems caused by surges will no longer be required.

Furthermore, implementing the project together with electricity teachers will provide the ITDB staff with important skills. This teacher training will enable teachers to add photovoltaic energy to the electricity curriculum. Sharing these skills will make it possible for the Salesians to maintain and care for the photovoltaic installations in Ebolowa. The teachers at the ITDB will be responsible for operating and maintaining the photovoltaic system.

A 360º project

Énergie Solaire Pour L'Éducation is a clear example of the Elecnor Foundation's commitment to the sustainability and continuity of the projects on which it embarks.

With "SDG 7. Affordable and clean energy" at the centre of this project, the major challenges identified have been overcome thanks to a defined strategy and the tools available.

This is the contribution that makes Énergie Solaire Pour L'Education a 360º project.

Electricity problems

Power cuts or outages are becoming more and more frequent, sometimes lasting for several days. People have spent hours without electricity, experiencing serious food conservation problems, among others.

The electricity that is available is of very poor quality. Voltage spikes that damage electronic equipment and their protection systems are commonplace. Facility and equipment maintenance is a serious issue with a significant financial impact.

Salesians in Ebolowa

The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Catholic religious order working in education, specifically for disadvantaged young people. They run 83 Technical Vocational Training Centres in Africa.

The Ebolowa ITDB is a leading professional training centre in southern Cameroon with over 750 students. Young people and adolescents are able to learn a trade in a quality educational environment. It offers training in automotive mechanics, electricity, carpentry, electronic maintenance and computers.

In addition, this centre offers:

• Boarding facilities for 53 young people from isolated areas where it is difficult to access technical or secondary education
• A youth centre offering extracurricular, sport and cultural activities and services to more than 300 young people in the city
• A community radio station aimed at promoting education, socio-cultural activities and development, reaching 150,000 listeners.