Amanda Maxwell, Latin America Advocate, Washington, DC

Chile

While the two companies who own the proposed Hidroaysén dam project in Patagonia, Endesa and Colbún, hope to resume the project before the end of the year, there remains significant uncertainties and challenges that could threaten the reactivation of the project. After two months since suspending the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project’s necessary transmission line, the companies are still waiting for signals from the government before going ahead with preparations, one of which is an electric road proposal that will likely be brought to Congress this month. Many believe that the government is in favor of an alternating current transmission line, which would not accommodate the Hidroaysén project.  Another uncertainty is how the government will handle its obligation to protect lands occupied by indigenous communities. The transmission line would cross several conflict areas with native tribes. A source from the companies says that it would not be sensible to advance the projects only to be stopped by the Supreme Court, which is what happened with the wind project, El Morro. Despite their decision to speak out about the lack of a national energy policy, there has been little change. ...

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