Rural schools in Antuco receive an energy boost to improve education and security
13 Ene 2026
With the aim of verifying the progress of the electrical standardization works on the ground, the Seremi de Energía del Biobío, Danilo Ulloa, together with representatives of the Energy Sustainability Agency (ASE), made a technical visit to two educational establishments in Antuco, in the Province of Biobío: the Volcán Antuco Basic School and the Olga Ríos Pinochet School.
Both sites are part of the Rural Schools Program, promoted by the Ministry of Energy and executed by the Energy Sustainability Agency, which seeks to improve the conditions of access to safe, reliable and quality energy services in schools located in rural, isolated and/or vulnerable sectors.
During the visit it was found that the Olga Ríos Pinochet School has 100% progress in the execution of the works, which included pipes and lighting, electrical panels and trays.
Meanwhile, the Volcán Antuco Basic School registers a progress of 70%, evidencing significant progress in the electrical standardization works that will improve security, the daily operation of the establishment and the learning conditions of the educational community.
In this regard, the Biobío Energy Seremi, Danilo Ulloa, highlighted the importance of advancing energy solutions that guarantee better learning conditions and greater security in rural establishments. “This program reflects the Ministry of Energy’s commitment to territorial equity and the right of girls and boys to be educated in dignified and safe conditions. Improving the electrical installations of these schools not only impacts the educational process, but also strengthens their role as key community spaces, especially in emergency contexts.”
The Deputy Director of Infrastructure and Maintenance SLEP Puelche, Boris Panes, highlighted the relevance of the program and the contribution it represents for the commune. “It is a great contribution. This expansion of criteria is appreciated to be able to evaluate new educational establishments, mainly with a rural focus, understanding that the Puelche territory a large part of its establishments are rural, so this new improvement is greatly appreciated and guarantees, in a certain way, what will be this 2026 in terms of improvement in living conditions for students. So a great contribution, and we hope to continue being partners with the Ministry of Energy and the Agency.”
In Chile there are more than 3,200 rural schools, of which 57% are located in isolated sectors and many do not have all the basic services necessary for the development of educational work. Some of them even get their water supply through natural springs.
In this context, accelerating access to safe and quality energy services is essential, considering that these establishments not only fulfill an educational function, but also operate as collection centers, shelters, community kitchens, health care points, digital connectivity and social support during emergency situations.
For the Teacher in Charge of the Volcán Antuco School, Pablo Suárez Vivanco, these improvements in the establishment will contribute to student learning. “Personally, as a teacher, I feel that it is a wonder, it is a huge benefit, mainly for the various cases of high vulnerability that our establishment serves. In addition to that, it must be mentioned that we are giving an inclusive seal to our school. We serve a diversity of students, mainly neurodivergent. So, as I mentioned to Seremi, for us the fact that there is better lighting is a stimulus, a stimulus that is going to impact the learning of our students. So, very Grateful, my community is going to feel blessed by this project.”
In the Biobío Region, the Energy Sustainability Agency carried out technical visits between October and November to the 21 establishments selected for this stage of the program, collecting key information to define the most appropriate energy solutions according to the reality of each school.
Each project considers an approximate investment of 65 million pesos per establishment, resources destined mainly to electrical standardization, improvements in safety and operating conditions.
The Energy Sustainability Agency Professional, Fabián Echeverría, highlighted that the projects will ensure the continuity of the electricity supply and will allow access to more technology. “The objectives of electrical standardization, first, is to guarantee the safety of each establishment, allowing the electrical continuity of each of them, also improving lighting and bridging the digital gap that may exist. With standardized electrical infrastructure, we can have better access to computing and high-power consumption.”
From the educational community, the impact of these initiatives is already perceived as concrete progress towards a more fair and inclusive education.
For the Teacher in Charge of the Olga Ríos de Pinochet School, Inés Jara, this initiative represents a significant contribution to rural establishments in the region. “The program is a great contribution to rural schools that are often forgotten and helps the safety of children and the entire school community in general.”
With these field visits, the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Sustainability Agency continue to advance in the implementation of the Energization of Rural Schools program in the Biobío Region, strengthening the energy infrastructure of educational establishments located in rural and isolated areas, with the aim of improving daily operating conditions and supporting the role that these schools play in the service of their communities.
