Social commitment in Costa Rica

Installation of Chiripa wind farm, ACCIONA’s first in Costa Rica, has been accompanied by an ambitious social impact management plan associated with the project. With this kind of action, the Company wishes to reflect its commitment to the development and well-being of the communities in which it operates, maximizing the positive impacts of its projects and minimizing those which can take a negative turn.

In the consultation phase, the project was presented to the local stakeholders (authorities, organizations, neighborhood associations, etc.) and qualitative (interviews with local leaders) and quantitative opinion studies were carried out.

Conclusions

Two conclusions stand out: 90% of people surveyed about the project thought the wind farm would positively affect their communities; the main problems in the area are unemployment and a lack of basic infrastructure.

This identified the path to follow. Of the 328 people employed on the construction phase and assembly of  the wind farm, 171 (over half) was local labor

The impact of the works was minimized through a package of measures, from times at which trucks pass through the area to the restoration of roads and gates to property, replanting in fields, and reforesting of woods with indigenous species. 

Resurfacing of sports pitches, installation of sewers and renovation of village roads were other activities carried out and they will be built upon through a series of social action projects to be performed annually during the wind farm’s operation. 

A joint committee of representatives from municipal councils and ACCIONA will consider proposals for projects from community organizations. 

The first social action project undertaken was the drilling of a well to supply water in the town of Monseñor Morera, which is now awaiting a permit to begin operating. 

SOCIAL ACTION PLAN TIMELINE

2012. Consultations

• 8 meetings to present the project.
• 61 opinion leaders interviewed.
• Opinion survey of 437 people.
• 90% consider the complex positive for the environment.
• 1.7% think it will have negative effects

2013. Construction

• Regular work meetings with affected communities.
• Contracting and subcontracting incentives to favor local jobs.
• 171 employees (over half the total) contracted from local communities.
• 16 actions to improve infrastructure.
• Corrective measures where environment disturbed.

2014. Operation

• Joint works committee to develop local social action projects.
• Drilling of a well to supply water in the town of Monseñor Morena.