The Rucalhue hydropower project in Chile is set to flood 139 hectares and construct a reservoir despite significant local opposition due to its environmental and social impacts. The project, overseen by Rucalhue Energía, has received final government approvals amid criticism for lack of community consultation. Activists warn of the erosion of local ecosystems and community ties as the project progresses, reflecting a broader conflict over energy development in Indigenous territories.
Fernanda Purrán, raised beside the Biobío River in central Chile, feels a profound loss in her relationship with the river due to the advent of hydropower in the 1990s. She expressed anguish over the unpredictable rises in water levels as dams opened floodgates, leading to years of uncertainty. Now, the proposed Rucalhue hydropower plant threatens to intensify these issues near her home, planning to flood 139 hectares and create a reservoir of over 7 million cubic meters.
The Rucalhue project, a 90-megawatt plant, aims to be the fifth hydropower facility on the Biobío, joining several others like Ralco and Pangue. Despite receiving a favorable environmental resolution in 2016, it struggled to launch due to the presence of two endangered plant species, the guindo santo and naranjillo. Following a national interest classification by Conaf in October 2023, the project received final approvals to begin construction, including the removal of protected vegetation.
Rucalhue Energía, governed by the China International Water and Electric Corporation, is set to lead this $240 million initiative under Chile’s Biobío Industrial Strengthening Plan, especially significant following the closure of Huachipato steel plant in 2024. Extending over 380 kilometers, the Biobío Basin already hosts 13 hydropower plants, generating roughly 38% of the nation’s capacity. Many local residents, including Indigenous communities, have voiced strong opposition, citing environmental degradation and social disruption from earlier projects.
Juan Pablo Boisier, a researcher, acknowledges the significance of hydropower for renewable energy and water supply but stresses the accompanying social and ecological costs. Residents raise concerns about inadequate civic participation and flawed consultations with Indigenous peoples, arguing that these actions violate international agreements like the ILO Convention 169 and the Escazú Agreement on environmental rights.
Despite a consultation in 2016, critics allege it was manipulated to favor the project. While Conaf sought guidance from the Ministry of Social Development regarding further consultations, no report was issued and authorization proceeded without clarity on community involvement. Javier Arroyo, a lawyer, criticized the dual negligence of Conaf for neglecting proper consultation processes and the delay from the Ministry.
Activists like Pamela Poo highlight the lack of transparency in project decisions, suggesting that declaring the plant of ‘national interest’ could lead to environmental compromises for economic benefits. Local resistance has been evident, with community members taking action to prevent construction activities, enduring violent evictions in response.
The ongoing construction of the Rucalhue plant is anticipated to be completed within three years, leaving local communities exhausted and fragmented. Many residents, depleted from prior experiences with hydropower projects, have retreated from activism, expressing a desire for peace. Purrán notes a troubling resignation among her peers, observing a mix of apathy and resistance in social attitudes toward the impending changes.
The Rucalhue dam project encapsulates the tensions between Chilean communities and government policies regarding hydropower development. The Biobío River, integral to local ecosystems and culture, has suffered due to multiple dam projects since the 1990s, prompting extensive local opposition, especially from Indigenous groups. Despite regulatory approvals, ongoing conflicts over environmental protections and community rights remain pivotal as construction begins on the new facility.
The Rucalhue hydropower project highlights the ongoing struggle between state interests and community rights in Chile. The approval of this project amidst widespread opposition showcases the urgent need for more inclusive decision-making processes that honor environmental sustainability and respect Indigenous rights. As construction unfolds, the impacts on local ecosystems, community cohesion, and social fabric remain critical concerns for affected residents.
Original Source: dialogue.earth
