HidroAysén was a controversial megaproject that aimed to build five hydroelectric power plants in Chile's Aysén Region, two on the Baker River and three on the Pascua River. Planned for construction during the 2010s, the project was definitely cancelled by its contractors in November 2017. The total expected installed power was 2,750 MW, generating an average per year, which corresponds to 21% of Central Interconnected System's demand by 2020. A 3,000 high-voltage direct current line would have been built between Aysén and the capital Santiago to feed the SIC, including a submarine portion between Chaitén and Puerto Montt. The projected cost was estimated at 3.2 billion U.S. dollars, and would have employed 5,000 workers frome Chile and abroad, making it the largest energy project in the country's history. HidroAysén is owned by a corporation which is a joint venture between Endesa, with a 51% stake and by Colbún S.A. which owns the other 49%.
History
The dams were approved on May 9, 2011 under the government of President Sebastián Piñera. The decision was made by eleven counselors on a committee. Ten voted in favor, with one abstention. Twenty-seven days earlier the Foreign Investment Committee was already aware of the decision ahead of time. The transmission line is yet to be approved. If completed these companies would own 80% of the Chilean energy market together establishing a duopoly. The project was placed on hold in early June 2012 due to protests. In June 2014, the project was rejected by the government of Chile, due to calls from environmentalists.
Protests
The lack of transparency in the decision making process was widely criticized by the Chilean public; In fact it elicited nationwide street protests. The main detractors hope to initiate legal actions against the project, and have assured that the public demonstrations will be massive. The planning process has also been harshly criticized by environmentalists and the local population of the Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region. According to opinion polls in April 2011, the project was opposed by 61% of the population despite a massive public relations campaign in support of it. Later that same month upon government approval of the project opposition climbed to 74%. The project is opposed by Greenpeace Chile with the slogan "¡Paren el circo, No a hidroaysén!" and "¡Salva la Patagonia!". local groups show their opposition to the project with banners and bumper stickers reading, "Patagonia Sin Represas".
Court case
Corporación Chile Ambiente along with private citizens Elizabeth Schindele and Fran Yave Schindele filed a lawsuit against the megaproject based on water rights. They lost their case in the district court and later the supreme court rejected their appeal under the procedural rationale that such water rights cases cannot be appealed beyond the discretion of the lower court In June 2014, the project was rejected by the Chilean government due to its alleged environmental impact, however the decision may be appealed.
Proponents
The project was supported by the business community, conservative president Sebastián Piñera, and former socialist president Ricardo Lagos who stated that the project as necessary in public comments on the issue. A poll conducted in 2011 by La Tercera newspaper showed that the project was supported by 26% of the population, including 13% of self identified leftists and 41% of right wingers. Furthermore, 19% of young people 18 to 34 years old and 34% of older people over age 55 approved of the project. However, 72% of respondents believed the project would become reality.
Environmental impact
The project was estimated to flood of natural reserves. Based on study of the project construction and access roads would have impacted 6 national parks, 11 national reserves, 26 conservation priority sites, 16 wetland areas and 32 privately owned protected conservation areas. This is in addition to six Mapuche communities including four in Toltén and one Lautaro and Victoria. A portion of the Baker 2 dam was to be located in Laguna San Rafael National Park which would have caused irreversible environmental damage.
Film
At the year 2010 was released the documentary, which tell the journey of Jeff Johnson at the 2007 from California to the Corcovado Volcano in the Chilean Patagonia. In the film one can see a part of the manifestations of the local people, disgruntled with the project of the dams on the Baker River.
