Access to energy and basic services
Electrifying rural communities
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Since 2009
46,000+ people with expanded access to electricity
Program Description
Access to energy is access to opportunity. AES’ rural electrification programs have improved the quality of life for thousands of families by providing the foundation for stronger access to education, healthcare, public safety, and other essential services.
Improving lives
In rural and remote communities, limited access to electricity can affect daily life in many ways, from students’ ability to learn with modern tools to families’ access to safer homes, roads, and other essential services. AES works with public- and private-sector partners to expand reliable and sustainable electricity access through grid extensions, solar systems, streetlights, and upgrades to community infrastructure. These initiatives help communities move beyond energy access alone, creating safer public spaces, stronger schools, improved household connectivity, and greater potential for long-term economic opportunities.
Delivering global impact
Colombia
In collaboration with several NGOs and government partners, AES Colombia instituted SOL-Kai, a program aiming to provide permanent solar electricity to remote, indigenous communities in La Guajira. Today, nearly 840 households and more than 3,000 people have access, for the first time to lighting, cooling, and connectivity.
In addition, AES Colombia joined forces with CENIT and Minuto de Dios University Corporation (Uniminito), a private organization and university, to install solar panels at Henry Daniel’s school, which serves over 1,500 students in Castilla La Nueva. Together, these initiatives are helping expand access to energy while creating safer and more connected environments where families students can learn, grow, and pursue new opportunities.
El Salvador
From 2009 to 2012, AES partnered with FOMILENIO to build more than 1,000 rural electrification projects, benefitting almost 36,000 families in 93 municipalities in Morazán, La Unión, San Miguel, Chalatenango, Santa Ana, Cabañas and Cuscatlán. The FOMILENIO project, founded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Government of El Salvador, aimed to bring electricity to rural communities across the country. The public-private partnership built 1,300kms of power lines, and AES El Salvador helps to ensure the continuity and sustainability of these investments even after the electrification ended.
Panama
Since 2016, AES Panama has collaborated with the Rural Electrification Office (OER) and the Ministry of Public Works to implement rural electrification programs in La Zumbona, Changuinola, Chiriquí, Coclé, and Almirante. In 2025, the initiative connected more than 500 homes, schools, and health centers, bringing electricity to 2,300 people for the first time in their lives. The initiative also installed solar panels at 8 of 15 planned schools, providing students and teachers with new opportunities to strengthen education and youth development. The project will continue to electrify communities in 2026 through conventional power lines and the installation of over 100 solar systems to bring electricity to those homes located in more remote areas.
Vietnam
In 2025, AES Vietnam addressed safety challenges in the Dong Mo area, where poorly lit road crossings posed risks for residents. AES installed 145 solar-powered streetlights, improving visibility for an estimated 6,000 community members who regularly use the road and strengthening safety and quality of life.
“The school has never had electricity before, but now with the program provided by AES and OER, I am very grateful and happy that we now have electricity in every room, the kitchen, lunch room, and the kids are able to use their computers.”
Partner organizations
- Office of Rural Electrification (OER)
- Ministry of Public Works Panama
- Government of El Salvador
- CENIT
- Uniminito
- FOMILENIO