Are Dams In Patagonia Necessary? An Analysis of Chile's Energy Future

Date: 
Monday, July 13, 2009

The long awaited study by the Consejo de Defensa de la Patagonia analyzing energy alternatives to hydroelectric mega-projects in Chile's Patagonia has been officially launched. 

The study - "Se Necesitan Represas En La Patagonia? Un Análisis del Futuro Energético Chileno" (Are Dams in Patagonia Necessary? An Analysis of Chile's Energy Future) - was launched on July 2, 2009 in Santiago and then on July 14th in Coyhaique.

Amongst the most interesting findings in this study piloted by the Patagonia BioGems Campaign at the Natural Resources Defense Council is that energy efficiency initiatives alone could provide more energy than that promised by HidroAysén in the exact same amount of time. Also of note--serious pursuit of renewables would provide Chile with an opportunity to move away from coal-burning power plants as well, dispelling the myth that it is either coal or large-scale hydro that Chile needs to choose from in order to secure its energy future.

Download the 2009 study (in Spanish).

An updated study was released in May 2011.

More information: 

Read a blog about the study by the Natural Resources Defense Council's Alison Silverman.

Read our fact sheet about Patagonia's Rivers at Risk.

Watch the 3 minute slideshow that graphically describes the campaign.

Sign up for our Rivers of Patagonia listserv.