The Chilean government today approved the Endesa project that aims to flood areas of high ecological value with the construction of five dams despite the opposition of 61% of Chileans and allegations environmental groups across the globe have been doing since the introduction of the project in 2006.
threatening plan since 2006 a large area of \u200b\u200bthe Chilean Patagonia is about become a reality. Low have served the many campaigns that these years have taken place against the Endesa project in Patagonia. Authorities in Chile have given the green light today to Endesa to build five dams on two rivers in Patagonia, flooding areas of high ecological value and displace native populations. is why this hydroelectric megaproject years has generated a strong social rejection by their impact on the environment (among other things, a high voltage lines 2,000 km to conduct electricity from Patagonia to the northern country). Unfortunately once again a government (supposedly democratic) ignores the voice of his people and acts against the popular will. "On behalf of the Chilean executive who governs? Once again it seems that the powerful multinationals are pulling the strings of world politics. Democracy is sinking to the power of money, again.
In fact, the session on Monday in which the Environmental Assessment Committee has given its approval has been surrounded by incidents, has generated considerable political debate in the country and there have been demonstrations in major cities which continued into the evening and where many people have been arrested, according to early reports. For now just give the news media in Spain. The report of RTVE have devoted at least a few seconds, and I heard myself. The newspaper El Pais such far neither mentioned on its website: Endesa will be announced in the pages perhaps? Surely ... What is also curious is the tone with which news are different newspapers: for example, Reason and Expansion the news is that "Endesa will invest 1,750 million in Chilean Patagonia Dams" ... Operation almost benefactor!
GOOD FOR ENDESA, BAD FOR THE CHILEAN
Endesa Chile introduced in 2006, with the help of local company Colbún, a project-called Hidroaysén, which envisages an investment of 3,200 million dollars. The total estimated production is 2,750 megawatts, which would make him one of the largest hydroelectric complex in the world. According to the latest results of Endesa before being acquired by Italy's Enel, Chile is one of its main markets: there controls 92% of electricity and gives you three-quarters of the profits obtained in Latin America, according to a reporting Headlines delivered in 2008: Chile: Life rivers, rivers sold. A documentary, by the way, just disappeared from the Web RTVE.es. Until an hour ago appeared all the information and video. Are Radio Television censoring content in English? If not, we would appreciate an explanation of this strange coincidence. Anyway, luckily the internet is hard to put clamps and the magnificent documentary can be seen in other home pages: here , here and here.
Despite the profound rejection of the project has generated in the population, and not just local (according to an Ipsos poll Last month, 61% of Chileans are against), it seems it was hoped the approval of the authorities. First, until now Chile has never refused permission for a hydroelectric plant, although other projects had also raised controversy, but also by the pressures to which the commission has been under evaluation. Finally, the proposal was approved by 11 votes in favor and one abstention by the regional ministerial secretaries, under the Government, strong supporter of the project. The opposition has criticized the conservative government has not respected the autonomy of the commission. However, the Coalition (Social and Democrat)
that was in power until early 2010, did not oppose the project. CHILE, A PECULIAR CASE
Chile is the only country where the constitution, drafted by the military regime in the eighties, enshrines the right of private use of the waters. Endesa is the largest owner in the country of those rights, which have to pay regular maintenance while not explode thanks to a legal reform of 2005.
BREAD FOR TODAY ... HUNGER FOR TOMORROW
Hidroaysén The project involves the construction of five dams on the Pascua river channels y Baker en la región de Aysén, a unos 1.800 kilómetros al sur de Santiago. Además de los grandes movimientos de tierras para construir las presas, la inundación de terrenos de alto valor paisajístico y ecológico (6.000 hectáreas tras una revisión a la baja del proyecto) y el desplazamiento de población, incluidos aborígenes, la infraestructura conlleva la construcción del que quizá sea el mayor tendido eléctrico del mundo, hasta la capital chilena y más al norte aún, donde se concentra la población del país y su actividad industrial (fundamentalmente minera). 
El Gobierno defiende que el proyecto es necesario para paliar la dependencia energética the country and the increasing demand of which is the most prosperous economy in South America. The decision can still be appealed administratively, as the Government has the final word, only the courts may explain the environmentalists, whose campaign - Patagonia without dams - has had a global eco possibly affect a very tourist area.
(*) Source of news: Mario Vallejo for RTVE.es
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