The struggle for light: tc energía changes lives in hidalgo 

A scent of popcorn floats in the air. Smiling, attendees await the start of the projection. It could be a typical night at any cinema… except here, there are no walls or ceiling. Nor an electric grid. We are in the community of Cieneguilla, in the state of Hidalgo. Above, the stars. To the side, the Sierra Madre Oriental. This movie night is possible thanks to the magic that TC Energía performs in the communities where it is present: thanks to its donation of solar panels, light has today come to this home as part of a program organized by our Social Impact team. And with it, there’s another novelty: it's the first time that the owners of this home, Mrs. Luisa Nava and Mr. Emiliano Camero, aged 78 and 84 respectively, watch a movie in their own house.

From March 1st to 7th, in the municipalities of Cardonal and Tlahuiltepa, in Hidalgo, TC Energía practiced its policy of being a good neighbor. Thus, thanks to the company's donation, 27 photovoltaic systems were installed in communities without access to the electrical grid. Out of these, 23 autonomous photovoltaic systems were for homes; two more were for community spaces (ejidal offices in Cieneguilla and Coyocala); two, in community clinics (Cieneguilla and Coyocala). In total, 89 people benefited from this program.

"Among the four focus areas we have at TC Energía (education, security, environment, and resilient communities), one of the needs we identified in Mexico was access to basic services. It's not so much an issue in the United States or Canada, but it is a reality in our country. It was thus that, as an energy infrastructure company, we asked ourselves: how is it possible that, in communities where we are present, there are still houses without access to energy? Last year we did a pilot of this program in a community. This year it will be two," says Fernanda Hermosillo, Senior Advisor of the Social Impact area at TC Energía.

On the vicinity, lies Media Luna, another community without basic services where several families live. “Here, sometimes, one must go far to charge the cell phone: an hour and a half or two hours, walking, to Aguacatlán, Cieneguilla, or Camarones. We go with acquaintances and ask them if they can lend us their light to charge the cell phone. And we say to them, ‘How much do we owe you?’ Some are understanding and don’t charge us, but others do ask us for soda money. That is what we have struggled for with light. Here, one has to struggle,” says Francisco Nixta, a farmer.

This sentiment is shared by the residents of Media Luna we spoke with. For example, Marisela Espinoza, 18 years old, says she normally has to do her homework early, while there is light. Otherwise, she had to use a candle before. Now it's a bit better because she has a car battery. With it, she turns on a LED light which gives a modern touch to her room. It also helps her recharge her cell phone. However, car batteries are not efficient for use in a home: their direct current must be converted to alternating current to connect appliances. In addition, as it is not designed for constant use, its charge does not last long. Therefore, Marisela is happy that she will soon have solar panels installed. It will be easier for her to study and do homework. And listen to music, one of her great passions. Such are the high expectations when you have nothing.

Lights... Action!

"The materials have arrived!" says Mr. Emiliano the next day when he sees a truck with the Iluméxico logo approaching his house. Two and a half hours later, the installation team finishes their work. The lighting of a simple bulb, something we do in Mexico City without realizing its true value, is an unprecedented moment: it's the first in the home of the Camero Nava family. And, as a demonstration of how life changes, this opens the possibility of having a refrigerator, a blender, or a washing machine. None of this existed in these communities because there was no way to provide them with energy… until now.

At 6 in the evening, a group of people from nearby houses arrives. They come to watch an outdoor movie. To demonstrate everything that can be connected to the panels, and to add a more festive touch to the occasion, the TC Energía team set up a screen and connected a Blu-ray player and a projector. The place was decorated with a series of outdoor lights. Thus, electricity transformed the location into a movie theater. None of those present had seen an outdoor projection in that community before. Surely, that explains the constant smiles on their faces.