Sustainable Water Solutions for La Guajira, Colombia (RES Project)

Boreal Light, in collaboration with Fundación Terrazul and Fundación Gespa, has implemented an innovative project in La Guajira, Colombia. This initiative addresses the critical water crisis in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions, improving the quality of life for local communities and fostering sustainability through advanced technology.

What We Are Doing?

  • A solar-powered desalination system designed by Boreal Light has been installed at the Instituto Etnoeducativo Laachon Mayapo, located in Manaure, La Guajira. This system operates entirely off-grid using renewable solar energy.

  • The system produces up to 12,000 liters of potable water per day, meeting the daily needs of approximately 1600 people.

  • Local community members have been trained to operate and maintain the system, ensuring its long-term functionality and sustainability.

  • By installing the system in a school, the project not only provides clean water but also improves the health and hygiene conditions of students and teachers. Additionally, it promotes environmental education and awareness about sustainable water use.

Boreal Light’s Innovation and Sustainable Technology

The solar desalination system operates independently of conventional energy sources, relying entirely on renewable energy. This not only reduces the environmental footprint but also ensures that remote communities can access clean water without the need for advanced electrical infrastructure.

Solar Energy

Photovoltaic system with 65 m², 26 modules of 400 W, and 0.54 kW.

Containerized

System installed in a 20-foot container, ideal for transportation.

100% SOLAR

Completely solar-powered

Production

Up to 2 m³ per hour.

6 hours per day.

Quality

Reduces TDS from up to 6,000 ppm to just 99 ppm.

Follow the Impact in Real Time

Track the progress of the solar desalination system with live data:

Expected Impact

  • Access to Clean Water:
    The project will directly benefit the school community and families in the region.

  • Reduction in Waterborne Diseases:
    By eliminating contaminants and water-related illnesses, it is expected to significantly improve community health.

  • Climate Resilience:
    It strengthens the community’s ability to cope with the effects of climate change by providing reliable access to essential resources like clean water.

  • Water Scarcity:
    La Guajira faces severe water shortages due to its arid climate and lack of adequate infrastructure.

  • Contaminated Water Sources:
    Many water sources have high salinity levels and contaminants, making the water unsafe for human consumption.

  • Infrastructure Gaps:
    The region lacks reliable systems for treating and distributing potable water, negatively affecting local communities.

Challenges Addressed

Join the Change

This project exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can transform lives. If you’d like to learn more about Boreal Light’s sustainable water solutions or support initiatives like this, feel free to contact us.

Collaboration and Funding

This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative.

  • The German Energy Agency (dena) is a centre of excellence for the applied energy transition and climate protec-tion. dena studies the challenges of building a climate-neutral society and supports the German government in achieving its energy and climate policy objectives. Since its foundation in 2000, dena has worked to develop and implement solutions and bring together national and international partners from politics, industry, the scientific community and all parts of society. dena is a project enterprise and a public company owned by the German federal government. dena’s shareholder is the Federal Republic of Germany. https://www.dena.de

  • With the aim of positioning German technologies and know-how worldwide, the German Energy Solutions Initia-tive of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports suppliers of climate-friendly energy solutions in opening up foreign markets. The focus lies on renewable energies, energy efficiency, smart grids and storage, as well as technologies such as power-to-gas and fuel cells. Aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises, the German Energy Solutions Initiative supports participants through measures to prepare market entry as well as to prospect, develop and secure new markets. www.german-energy-solutions.de/GES/Navigation/EN/Home/home.html

  • With the RES programme, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) helps German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable mar-ket entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany. www.german-energy-solutions.de/en/res