The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives is pleased to announce a partnership with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives and the Colorado Rural Electric Association to bring first-time access to electricity to a remote village in Guatemala in the fall 2026.

The electrification project is possible through the coordination of NRECA International, the philanthropic arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association based in Arlington, Virginia.

Volunteer linemen from Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives as well as cooperatives in Iowa and Colorado will build powerlines and wire homes in the villages Montenegro and El Estocal, which are located in the region of Guastatoya, the capital city of the Department of El Progresso, about 2 hours northeast of Guatemala City.

The project will be an expansion of service to the local municipality Empresa Electrica Municipal de Guastatoya.

The following Oklahoma volunteers were selected to serve on the project: Team Leader Justin Marsh (Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, Oklahoma City-Okla.), Kyle Puffinbarger (Alfalfa Electric Cooperative, Cherokee-Okla.), Kyle Williams (Central Rural Electric Cooperative, Stillwater-Okla.), Hagan Hedrick (CKenergy Electric Cooperative, Binger-Okla.), Kristopher Spencer (Kay Electric Cooperative, Blackwell-Okla.), Luke Gifford(Rural Electric Cooperative, Lindsay-Okla.), Lakon Lynch (TCEC, Hooker-Okla.). Alternates: Tim Gilbert (Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Norman-Okla.) & Leith Burkhalter(Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Durant-Okla.). Additionally, communications support for the mission will be provided by Lance Shaw(Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, Oklahoma City-Okla.) and KorDale Lornes (Red River Valley REA, Marietta-Okla.)

This mission marks the eighth electrification project Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives have sponsored in Central and South America, collectively making possible nearly 1,000 first-time connections to electricity.

“We’re excited to partner with Iowa and Colorado to bring hope and power to this remote village and grateful for NRECA International’s leadership of this project,” says OAEC General Manager Nicki Fuller. “Access to electricity will bring economic empowerment, better access to health care and enhanced safety for these villagers. This mission reinforces our commitment to empower generations by improving quality of life for local communities at home and abroad.”