Hydro-Aisen: Field reports from the Energy Nerd!

Word of the day: represas- dams

So I never got a chance to write about this before (nor did I actually go there), but there’s another debate currently going on in Chile over a common energy source: the hydroelectric dam. Chile has traditionally derived the greatest percentage of its energy from dams, mainly although not exclusively located in the south of Chile.
So another one shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Well, not so much. Hydro-Aisen, a multinational corporation, has highly controversial plans to build 5 dams along two rivers in a region of northern Patagonia prized for its pristine wilderness. This has draw criticism from international environmental groups such as Greenpeace, Sierra Club, etc. but other domestic groups as well. A campaign known as “Patagonia sin represas” (Patagonia without dams) has created very eye-catching bumper stickers and posters showing pollution or energy paraphenalia through the center of some of Chile’s most pristine natural areas. It definitely wasn’t uncommon to see the bumper stickers. One of Chile’s most read magazines, the satire magazine “The Clinic” featured ads for and against the project in a recent edition.

Part of the problem from the environmentalist perspective, at least as I see it, is that saving this region from the effects of the dam doesn’t immediately have value for many Chileans. Not to say that they are environmentally insensitive, but a personal connection may be lacking. Most Chileans may never have the money to go to Patagonia: its an expensive trip, even for nationals. From my perspective at least, this creates a barrier to a strong rallying cry to save the zone. Furthermore, dams are always tricky in that they create “clean” energy. When they would be potentially located in an isolated zone, without having to resettle a large population, it’s even more of a temptation in a world threatened by global climate disruption. And of course, there’s always the job creation carrot, in a region where there are few opportunities for employment. Tricky business.

Nevertheless, the environmental hazards are pretty stark. We're talking destruction of ancient hardwood forests in remote areas and damming that would affect the livelihood of farmers and fishermen. Not to mentioning trampling through one of the world's last wild places. We'll see how it ends up.

Here's a comprehensive article, though slightly outdated (in english)
http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2010/world/the-price-of-renewable-energy-pursuits-in-patagonia/