Electric stairs in commune 13 now run on power from 56 solar panels

This Friday, March 18, the Mayor's Office of Medellín announced the installation of 56 solar panels for the operation of the stairs of Comuna 13.

The municipal administration assured that in order to transform Medellín into an Ecocity, an investment of more than 111 million pesos was made in the operation of the 56 solar panels that will renovate the energy system of the escalators of Comuna 13.

These panels replace the electricity used for the operation of the stairs and luminaires of the system by 21%, according to the Mayor's Office of Medellín.

In addition, the administration assured that this implementation reduces CO2 emissions by 6.95 tons per year, which is equivalent to planting 25 trees.

“These escalators, which today become 4.0 with solar energy, bring a great transformation to commune 13, not only because we were able to get out or in easier, but because we allowed other people from other parts, even from all over the world, to come to commune 13 to see who we are in Medellín, talent, magic, intelligence, the creativity we have,” said the mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero.

This project aims to contribute to the reduction of electric energy costs for the escalator transport system and to the reduction in the carbon footprint for the city. With the implementation of this solar solution, a reduction is achieved that is equivalent to taking seven vehicles off the road or replacing the energy consumed by 19 households per month.

“This solution brings us closer to being pioneers in the concept of Ecocity, considering that escalators are a unique means of transport in the country, which has also become a tourist attraction that generates economic development in the area, from which the inhabitants of commune 13 benefit, who are today an example of resilience”, said the Secretary of Mobility, Carlos Mario Mejía Múnera.

It should be recalled that this escalator system began operation in May 2011, in order to speed up the community's mobility in daily ascents and descents that involved the use of 200 to 380 irregular steps per route.

It should be noted that these stairs are located in the Las Independencias #1 neighborhood and benefit about 25,000 people a month, including residents, local and foreign visitors, according to the Mayor's Office of Medellín.

KEEP READING: