Damming Patagonia: simply concrete?

Video at the end!!!

For the last week, Emily and I have been exploring the marvels of Chilean Patagonia. We discovered not only vibrant, blue-green lakes and breathtaking mountains, but also a plan for a controversial energy project. So, being the South American explorers that we are, we decided to do a little research. We discovered that an organization is in the process of trying to construct several hydroelectric plants. Here is the lowdown:

By: Queen I (Rayna)

The Organization:

HydroAysén is Chile’s largest proposed energy project currently under environmental assessment by the Chilean government. They were established in September of 2006, and are trying to pass the environmental assessment in order to begin construction on a hydroelectric project in the Aysén region of Chile (also known as Northern Patagonia).

The Proposed Project:

HydroAysén plans to begin constructing five power stations that will form a mega-hydroelectric project in 2014. The five sites will be on the Baker and Pascua Rivers in southern Chile. According to HidroAysén, the stations will have the ability to produce 18,430 GWh of power, which is 35% of Chile’s electricity consumption for the year 2008.

The construction site will cover 5,910 hectares (14,604 Acres), which includes the power stations and the reservoir site.

(All above data comes from: http://www.hidroaysen.cl/site/ingles/descripcion_pha.html).

Aspects of the Project:

The Link System:

The energy generated by the power stations will be conducted by a power transmission link system that is connected to the Central Interconnected System, (http://www.hidroaysen.cl/site/ingles/descripcion_pha.html).

The Central Interconnected System or SIC is the main power grid in Chile spanning from the North of Chile all the way to the Lake region in the South. It transmits 68.5% of the national energy generated, and provides electricity to 93% of Chile’s population,

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistema_Interconectado_Central).

In order to connect the two grids, HydroAysén will put up large high voltage power lines though the region. They must cut a 100-meter-wide area for the lines.

Road Improvement:

HydroAysén plans to widen and improve the main highway in order to provide an easier and safer means of travel for the workers.

Port Infrastructure:

In order to bring all the materials needed for the construction, a 100-meter-long pier will be built in a nearby port, which will permit entry of ships.

Also, HydroAysén plans to build a landfill, telecommunication stations, power generators for workers, 40 new homes and a medical center for workers in a nearby town, temporary roads and concrete plants, (http://www.hidroaysen.cl/site/ingles/descripcion_pha.html).

What the Advocates are saying:

As you can see, this hydroelectric project is massive. It will have many strong impacts on Chile. HydroAysén and their supporters believe that the project will benefit Chile in many ways.

Advocates explain that hydroelectric power is a clean alternative to other types of power such as fossil fuels. HydroAysén states on their website that they seek, “to respond to a growing concern for the environment and for the development of efficient, clean, and renewable energy generation alternatives,” (http://www.hidroaysen.cl/site/ingles/descripcion_pha.html).

Also, a major benefit is that with this new project Chile will not have to rely as heavily on international fuels and, therefore, import less.

Another main point that HydroAysén states is that, “Water is the most important source of energy for Chile. It is the sole resource of our own that is clean, safe, renewable and abundant enough to generate the energy needed by the country. Chile has a hydroelectric potential of about 20,323 MW and is currently using only 25% of it,” (http://www.hidroaysen.cl/site/ingles/descripcion_pha.html).

Several people on our journey have explained that the project will bring employment opportunities, more wealth to the communities, and commodities such as improved roads, Internet and a “higher quality of life.”

HydroAysén also has pointed out these benefits.

“The HidroAysén Project will provide a great development opportunity for the XI Region inhabitants by creating new and better employment and training opportunities, and improved living conditions thanks to the development of its commerce and a greater connectivity, thus integrating Aysén inhabitants to the rest of the country. The Aysén Project will generate about 5,000 new direct jobs during its construction phase –when the season is high-- and an average of 2,260 workers every month, with some of them being hired in the region, ” (http://www.hidroaysen.cl/site/ingles/descripcion_pha.html).

The company is proposing to construct another project in order to supply electricity to the inhabitants of the region. The current project under investigation will not provide the inhabitants of the area with electricity, only the inhabitants of central Chile. Additionally, the reality of construction of a project for the local inhabitants is unknown at this time.

How the Opposition feels:

Several people in the region are strongly against the project. Although the company and their supporters have pointed out many benefits, the locals have found many negative repercussions.

One area of sensitivity is the environmental impact on the land. Building dams in rivers highly impacts the aquatic life and surrounding wilderness area.

“After dam construction, there is an immediate drop in water quality that destroys useful fish populations and poses a threat to livestock and humans,” writes Lanza, an aquatic biologist and microbiologist who consults for the environmental organization International Rivers, (http://www.azocleantech.com/Details.asp?newsID=2152).

Also, the 100-meter wide destruction of forest though the entire region will have a large impact on the Patagonian wilderness.

People are concerned about not only environmental degradation, but also social and economic impacts as well. Yes, the construction of the project will improve the road conditions, bring Internet and a medical center, but will it truly “improve” the inhabitant’s quality of life?

Locals such as my friend Michel Raab and hitchhiking friends such as Rodrigo have explained that with the new development, negative influences such as drugs, increased crime rate, and alcohol consumption will also come to the area.

Although the project will help with unemployment a bit, what will happen when the project’s construction is over? Michel pointed out that HidroAysén plans on bringing many employees to the region, but after the project has been built, the people will no longer have a job.

My Take:

When I think about the concerns of the Southern Chileans, a quote from the book, Ancient Futures, By Helena Norberg-Hodge, creeps into my mind. She writes,

“I have seen that community and a close relationship with the land can enrich human life beyond all comparison with material wealth or technological sophistication. I have learned that another way is possible.”

After spending a week in one of the most incredible places I’ve visited in my life, it is hard for me to believe that bringing technological improvements and wealth will increase happiness. This area has long hosted strong communities that have a close connection to their land. Generation after generation has been herding cattle, growing crops and living off the land. Both Michel and Rodrigo pointed out that the new generation do not this same relationship to their surroundings. More and more younger members of the community are leaving the area to go work as professionals in central Chile after studying at a University. I can hear grief in their voices as they explain this phenomenon to me. However, I can understand the desire to leave one’s home and become a successful professional. I can also sympathize with those who want to grow and develop their community in order to be a part of the progressive business world.

The issue of energy is a perpetual battle between individuals, communities and nations all over the world. Yes, we need to find sustainable energy sources like hydroelectricity. But, we need to make sure these energy sources are sustainable on all levels: social, economic, and environmental. How do we approach our energy crisis? What are some other solutions for Chile and where do we start?

The following video depicts our investigation of HydroAysén, our trip to Río Baker, some of the people we met along the way, and a community's struggle to maintain a "Patagonia Sin Represas," (Patagonia without dams).

Click the link below to see our video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbSnBubFJ_Q