The Fondation Nexans and Indeco by Nexans employees bring light to the Suyo Medical Center.

In the rural community of Suyo in northern Peru’s Piura region, power outages have long hindered access to reliable healthcare. The Suyo Medical Centre, which serves around 14,000 people, has struggled to maintain essential services, including vaccine storage and urgent care, due to unreliable electricity. Thanks to a powerful collaboration led by Fondation Nexans, with active involvement from employees of Indeco by Nexans, the NGO EcoSwell, and gold partner Huemura, this community now benefits from a fully operational, energy-resilient medical center inaugurated in September 2024.

Power Outages Threaten Vital Healthcare in Suyo 

Since its founding in 2010, the Suyo Medical Centre has been a critical healthcare provider for both local residents and neighboring Ecuadorian communities, offering services like emergency care, laboratory testing, and health promotion programs. However, frequent blackouts have created ongoing challenges, putting lives and critical treatments at risk. In December 2022 alone, Suyo experienced 21 power outages, each lasting an average of 28 hours, meaning that 79% of the month was without reliable electricity. 

These outages severely compromised the storage of vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medicines, which are essential for preventing diseases like Yellow Fever, Covid-19, and Tuberculosis. Although the center had access to a diesel generator, high fuel costs and limited technical knowledge among staff made it unreliable. The building also faced risks from frequent lightning strikes due to insufficient lightning protection infrastructure. 

Beyond the Workplace: Indeco Employees Light Up a Community 

This project stands out for its deep engagement from Indeco by Nexans employees, whose commitment transformed a vision into a resilient reality. Beyond corporate support, the project reflects the hands-on dedication of Indeco by Nexans team members who actively participated in each phase, from planning to on-site installation and inauguration. 

Indeco by Nexans employees offered expertise on materials and logistics, ensuring the system’s design met the highest standards for resilience and safety. They also coordinated the donation and transportation of essential cabling, critical to successful project implementation in the remote area of Suyo. 

During installation, Indeco by Nexans employees worked alongside EcoSwell engineers, contributing their technical expertise and enthusiasm. Their involvement extended beyond the technical, embodying a genuine commitment to creating positive, lasting change for the Suyo community. This employee-driven engagement not only made the project possible but also illustrated how dedicated teams can drive meaningful social impact. 

Funded by Fondation Nexans and the NextEnergy Foundation, the project brought a state-of-the-art Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system to the medical center. This 14.64 kWp photovoltaic system, composed of 24 solar panels, 20 batteries, and a comprehensive power distribution setup, now ensures uninterrupted power for critical areas like the laboratory, pharmacy, triage, and emergency rooms. 

In addition to backup power, the solar system is reducing the center’s dependency on the traditional power grid, saving on energy costs and contributing to environmental sustainability. A lightning arrestor and ground well also protect the building, enhancing its resilience against frequent lightning strikes common in the area. 

A Bright Future for Suyo: Solar-Powered Healthcare Inaugurated 

Since the project’s start in October 2023, steady progress was made to prepare the center for resilient, solar-powered operations. Following initial assessments, Indeco by Nexans employees contributed technical input and worked closely with EcoSwell and certified electricians to finalize a robust design. With donated cables in place and top-quality equipment secured, the system’s installation was completed in time for the scheduled inauguration in September 2024. 

The official inauguration of the Suyo Medical Centre’s energy-resilient system was a moment of celebration for the community and all partners involved. Local authorities, Fondation Nexans representatives, EcoSwell team members, Indeco by Nexans employees, and community members gathered to mark this achievement, recognizing the dedication and hard work that brought this project to fruition. The presence of Indeco by Nexans employees at the inauguration emphasized their active role in the project, symbolizing a genuine commitment to community empowerment. 

A Partnership for Impact: Ensuring Suyo's Healthcare Future 

After the inauguration, Indeco by Nexans employees trained local staff on operating and maintaining the new system. They covered safety protocols, basic troubleshooting, and maintenance routines. User-friendly manuals and communication materials were provided to ensure long-term sustainability. 

The energy resilience project at the Suyo Medical Center is a testament to the power of corporate social responsibility. Through the collaborative efforts of Fondation Nexans, Indeco by Nexans employees, EcoSwell, and Huemura, the center now operates as a reliable healthcare hub. This project demonstrates how active corporate engagement, particularly through employee involvement, can create significant social impact. By empowering communities and providing sustainable solutions, we can inspire lasting, positive change in underserved regions.