WILLEMSTAD – Alongside the announcement of a special heat schedule for schools, the Curaçao government has revealed plans to equip every classroom in the subsidized education system with air conditioning units. The project, presented during a press conference on Tuesday, aims to install more than 2,100 units within two years. 

The initiative follows an inventory carried out by DISC NV, the company led by former Aqualectra director Darick Jonis. The purchase of the air conditioners is expected to cost approximately 2.8 million guilders. 

Rising electricity costs 

While the new units are intended to improve classroom conditions for students and teachers, they also come with significant financial implications. Projections suggest that electricity costs for schools could rise by 1.2 million guilders per month once all units are operational. 

To offset this, the government is exploring the integration of solar energy systems. The plan is to connect as many air conditioners as possible to solar panels, allowing schools to generate their own electricity during the day. Excess energy produced in the evenings could then be fed back into Aqualectra’s grid, helping balance costs. 

Part of broader heat strategy 

The installation of air conditioning is part of a wider government strategy to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures on the island’s education system. The heat plan, introduced this week, includes adjusted school hours and measures to improve student and teacher well-being during the hottest months of the year. 

Authorities have not yet announced a specific timeline for the start of the installation process, but confirmed that funding and technical planning are already underway.