To mark World Wind Day and as part of its commitment and social responsibility towards the community, the Bii Hioxo wind farm in Oaxaca, Mexico, through its Nacanu’ Bii Community Centre, organised its first local wind turbine prototype competition. This event was open to third-year pupils from affiliated schools in the Septima Sección and surrounding areas.
The competition, which ran for six weeks, had specific guidelines that included the use of recycled materials, creativity, innovation, and the pupils’ perception of wind energy in their community, amongst other criteria.
Projects were judged by the wind farm’s staff, which included supervisors, a social manager, and the site manager. They evaluated prototypes crafted from recycled materials like cane, plastic bottle caps, cardboard, glue, and other items. All of the projects incorporated technology to make the blades spin, simulating wind-powered operation through the use of motors and batteries.
To acknowledge the hard work and effort of each participating team, the two schools involved were rewarded with guided tours around the wind farm on different dates. The Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Num. 103 visited on 5 July, and the Modulo de Telesecundaria de Santa Maria Xadani visited on 8 July. In total, 29 students, 5 teachers, and a mother took part.
“What career would be the best for working at a wind farm? Electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, or electromechanical engineer? I’m not sure; I’ll find out so I can continue studying and focus on that. I’m really excited,” said pupil Hector Emanuel Cristobal Regalado.
“We really appreciate the school being considered. This is very important to us because these activities and visits motivate youngsters to keep studying, especially as they are about to start high school. We will share the visit to the park on our social media pages and hope it is not the last time we come,” said Noemi Lopez Lopez.
“Thank you for all the care and attention given. It has been a wonderful and meaningful experience for the youngsters, and even for us adults. We hope this can be repeated with other pupils,” said teacher Genaro Javier Hernandez.
Both visits included transport, food, drinks, souvenirs, certificates, explanations, and guidance from supervisors Carlos Lopez Toledo and Hector Yariel Marquez Osornio. They explained how the wind farm operates, gave a tour inside a wind turbine, and visited the gondola at the Universidad del Istmo, Juchitan campus.
Photographs taken during the school visits:
These tours help to raise awareness about the use and importance of renewable energy today. They also address the myths and beliefs about wind farms in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region, thereby contributing to the educational development of students from the Septima Seccion and Santa Maria Xadani, areas that experience significant levels of marginalisation. With the Xadani pupils, part of the tour was conducted in Zapotec, fostering the preservation of the region’s native language and reaffirming GPG Mexico’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive environment.