What is Hidroaysen ?
Hidroaysen is a project that includes the construction and operation of five hydroelectric plants, two on the river Backer and three on the river Pascua, located on the Region of Aysen on the South of our country.
The project promises that on the year 2020 could cover 21% of the central Interconnected System demand (this system is the most important of 4 other electric systems because it supplies energy to approximately 93% of the Chilean population).
The project promises that on the year 2020 could cover 21% of the central Interconnected System demand (this system is the most important of 4 other electric systems because it supplies energy to approximately 93% of the Chilean population).
The Hidroaysen administration is supported by a corporation formed by the biggest Chilean companies that generates electricity such as ENDESA and Colun SA. Both companies will concentrate 80% of the electric production of the country, founding a monopoly of the chilean electric energy market.
The biggest problem here is the environmental impact. The project could affect 6 National Parks, 11 National Reserves, 26 conservation sites (lands), 16 wetlands and 32 protected private areas. Besides 6 Mapuche communities would be intervened, 4 of Tolten's communes, 1 from Lautaro and another from Victoria.
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| René Pérez. Vocalista de Calle 13 |
Are there any other possibilities to attain energy ?
An alternative is a tidal power plant that could be placed over the Chacao canal, taking advantage of the constant tides, 3 GW can be generated on a constant way compared to 2.5 of all Hidroaysen.
What has the Social impact been ?
"Patagonia sin represas " is a movement conformed by different organizations and independent people. It has been established as the biggest organized opposition against the Hidroaysen project. This movement has performed massive protests on different occasions against this construction, and it has been the support of a large segment of the Chilean citizens, as well as other international environment entities with great world wide influence such as Greenpeace.
