AES Chile's Social Investment Programs Benefited More Than a Thousand People During 2024

February 5, 2025

AES Chile's Social Investment Programs, managed by its Foundation and the Community Relations area, concluded a successful year of work with the communities near its four wind farms operating in the Biobío Region: Los Olmos, Mesamávida, Campo Lindo, and San Matías.

From Fundación AES Chile, they highlight, for example, the establishment of two local councils, Parque Los Olmos and Mesamávida, composed of 7 and 10 councilors respectively. They also valued the execution of the Social and Participatory Investment Funds, where 11 workshops were held with the participation of 413 people, who developed their own project for the benefit of the entire community. The initiatives focused on community-use infrastructure, energy efficiency, and strengthening local identity and community development.

Additionally, in the first half of 2024, 15 summer training sessions were held, benefiting nearly 250 people. Among the courses offered were Digital Literacy, Project Formulation, Greenhouse Cultivation, Beekeeping, Urban Gardens, Composting, and First Aid.

In the second half, six employability training sessions were developed, where 85 beneficiaries were trained in topics such as Class B Driving, Backhoe Operation, Canning Techniques, Low Voltage Electrical Installation Techniques, Entrepreneurship Program, and Basic Hairdressing Techniques.

"We are very pleased with the work done in the past year. On one hand, for having contributed to the development of projects, many of them already in execution, that arise from the community itself after identifying their needs. On the other hand, for the training of neighbors who, thanks to these training tools, will be able to perform in other areas, develop personally, and expand their job opportunities," said Paola Olivares, director of Fundación AES Chile.

Also noteworthy is the construction of two social centers and energy efficiency initiatives such as the replacement of heaters under the Emission Compensation Plan for 73 families and the "Todos Juntos con Energía" Program at the Olmos Wind Farm, where community energy efficiency projects were carried out for five social organizations.

In the field of training, 15 people participated in the Beekeeping program associated with the San Matías park, and about thirty students from the AEIP professional institute participated in podiatry operations, attending to more than 60 people.

Other notable initiatives included the intercultural exchange between the Las Newenches Indigenous Association and the Lafken Palife Mapuche Association of the San Pedro de la Paz commune, with 38 participants, and the Open Doors Program, where nearly 100 neighbors and representatives of different organizations were able to learn about the operation of the wind farms and the importance of renewable energies for the country.

In this way, during 2024, all these initiatives benefited more than a thousand people living near the Los Olmos, Mesamávida, Campo Lindo, and San Matías wind farms of AES Andes.