As the hydro developments I am focusing on in Chile, mainly the Maipo and Manso, are currently being constructed, their fluctuating statuses are difficult to keep up with as I attempt to draw conclusions. The Ñuble River has most recently distracted my focus.
The Ñuble runs through the Bío Bío Region and is currently slated for two projects. Through the backing of Andritz Hydro and Hidroelectrica Ñuble SpA, in addition to a serious of power corporation subsidiaries, a run-of-river project is currently under construction, and estimated to be completed by 2018. The Punilla Reservoir and Plant project, which is currently undergoing a bidding process, has historically been influenced by irrigation issues for local agriculture. This system would include a 165-meter-high dam and a subsequent 100 MW power plant. The projected completion year is 2023. However, while many local farming communities were once advocates of the reservoir component, as it would stabilize irrigation access, increasing focus upon the MW production has generated concerns among surrounding communities and power generation would be prioritized.
Like many other hydro projects, harnessing the Ñuble is politically endorsed by Santiago as a necessity for rising energy needs in Chile, although the most notable demand increases are emanating from private mining operations.
While I now intend to include some information regarding the Ñuble, as the agricultural dynamic is an important one, I am concerned about the broadening focus of my situated context. However, in completing this thesis I hope to present a well rounded and realistic assessment of Chile’s current relationship with hydropower, and without addressing the Ñuble, I am not sure this could be accomplished.