Support for Hydroelectric Development in Peru

(Lima, Sept. 2012). Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) presented a preliminary study on Peru’s hydroelectric potential, developed as part of an agreement between CAF –development bank of Latin America– and Peru’s Energy and Mines Ministry.

Participants at the presentation included CAF Energy Vice President Hamilton Moss de Souza; CAF Country Director in Peru Eleonora Silva, as well as high ranking officials from the nation’s Energy Ministry and energy sector. The USGS experts outlined the methodology to determine the hydroelectric potential as well as the preliminary surveys of Peru’s main basins, particularly Marañón and Huallaga.

Moss de Souza said “Peru’s Hydroelectric Potential Update Study” was carried out as part of the technical cooperation agreement between CAF and the Energy Ministry, with a view to determining the recoverable hydroelectric potential from the country’s main basins, which may allow for the construction of small, midsize and large power plants.

“CAF has been making a major effort in supporting renewable energy through project and implementation financing of different studies and industry programs,” Moss de Souza said. “That is why we have identified the need to support countries in the region with information gathering on hydroelectric potential for its exploitation, as it’s an abundant, clean and low cost source for energy generation.”

In that sense, he added, “Peru is an example to Latin America with this study, and CAF is pleased to contribute to a successful experience that can have a multiplying effect for other countries in the region.”

Moss de Souza said the hydroelectric potential assessment promoted by CAF will be gradually implemented in other nations to come up with a general evaluation of the hydroelectric potential in a sizable part of the region. This should contribute to hydroelectric dam projects by optimizing basin use in every nation, in an affordable and environmentally feasible manner.

DGE power regulator head Roberto Tamayo said the study was developed according to the Energy Ministry’s guidelines on energy resources’ sustainable use for power generation.

“Hydrological resources potential is a key piece for the construction of hydroelectric centrals as the basis for national power generation, in order to have a clean matrix,” Tamayo said.