Hydroelectricity and socio-environmental management under analysis

(La Paz, June 16, 2011).- With the presence of authorities and actors from the electricity sector, the seminar on Construction of Hydroelectric Plants and Mitigation of Socio-Environmental Impacts: International Experiences, was held in La Paz. The event was organized by CAF - Latin American development bank, the Brazilian Embassy in Bolivia and the World Bank.

CAF director representative in Bolivia Emilio Uquillas said, "CAF is not only a financial institution but also a generator of knowledge. This is why we are making available to authorities and public policymakers in Bolivia experiences and best international practices in mitigation of the socio-environmental impacts of hydroelectric generation - where Bolivia has enormous potential - to increase inputs for decision making,"

The seminar featured presentations by Bolivian Deputy Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Alurralde, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Alternative Energy Roberto Peredo, and specialists from Eletrobras, Compañía Energética de Minas Gerais (CEMIG), Itaipu Binational, Study Group of the Electricity Sector of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (GESEL/UFRJ), Cultural Heritage-Archaeology and Anthropology Document, CAF and the World Bank.

Hydroelectricity generation in Bolivia

Deputy Foreign Minister Alurralde presented Bolivia's position on hydroelectric projects in cross-border basins, focusing on the Río Madera hydroelectric complex, which involves construction of four plants along the river: Santo Antonio and Jirau on the Brazilian side, Ribeirao (binational) on the border with Bolivia, and Cachuela Esperanza in Bolivia.

"We are evaluating the economic, social, cultural and environmental effects that this undertaking will have on national territory. The fact that almost 50% of Bolivia's borders are water or lake requires the development of policies for energy integration with neighboring countries which protect - above all - the national interest,” Alurralde said.

During his presentation, Minister Peredo said Bolivia’s hydroelectric potential was about 40 gigawatts, of which only 475.6 MW - approximately 1.19% - are exploited at present.

In 2010 hydroelectricity generation accounted for 37% of the energy capacity of the National Interconnected System (SIN). The balance was generated by biomass, steam, geothermal and natural gas. The target for 2020 is to achieve 70% of energy production from water.

The seminar learned that the hydroelectricity projects still in analysis phase are Río Madera, Cachuela Esperanza and El Bala, which would be able to export electricity to the region, along with La Punta, Miguillas, Misicuni, Rosita, San José, Santa Anita and Tahuamanu which could meet domestic demand.

The Totoropampa and Kanamarca micro-plant projects in Inquisivi province, La Paz department; Rio Blanco in Guarayos (Santa Cruz); and Kuchuyba in Tomabe, Potosí are currently being executed.

International Experience

The presentations by international experts highlighted experiences in environmental management resulting from the Itaipu Binational (Brazil-Paraguay) hydroelectric plant and their Cultivating Good Water program, set up to develop environmental sustainability initiatives through 19 subprograms and 65 projects including a renewable energy platform, a technology park, technical environmental events, health projects, education, reforestation, tourism and food security. Itaipu generates 77% of Paraguay’s power and 18.9% of Brazil's.

One of the programs, the CEMIG Live Fish program supports actions to preserve aquatic fauna in the basins where the company has operations, giving priority to finding solutions and technologies which integrate electricity generation with conservation of native fish species, while promoting inclusion of the community.