Five Q’eqchi’ communities in El Chal, Petén, have gained access to electricity following the completion of a distribution network project by INDE. The initiative involved building more than 30 distribution lines with a capacity of 34.5 kV and required an investment of Q7,078,000. The project was carried out by INDE’s Electrification and Works Management division.
A total of 314 households, representing 1,884 residents across the villages of La Guadalupe, La Oriental, Unión Bayer, Las Rosas, and Los Ángeles, now benefit from this new infrastructure.
Luis Manuel Coc Caal, a resident of La Guadalupe village, stated: “Esperé 35 años para disfrutar junto a mi familia de los beneficios de la energía; ahora puedo conectar mi refrigerador y eso me apoya en mi negocio” (“I waited 35 years to enjoy the benefits of electricity with my family; now I can plug in my refrigerator and that helps my business”).
Elías Calderón, the municipal mayor, commented: “El Chal está próximo a alcanzar el 100% de electrificación”, lo que repercutirá de forma positiva en áreas como educación, economía y desarrollo social (“El Chal is close to reaching 100% electrification,” which will have positive effects on education, economy and social development).
Petén has historically had one of the lowest electrification rates in Guatemala. This project marks progress toward the national government’s goal under President Bernardo Arévalo to achieve full electrification across the country.
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