Chiloé Wind Farm Explained

Chiloé Wind Farm (Spanish; Castilian: link=no|Parque Eólico Chiloé) is a wind farm planned to be constructed by chilean renewable energy developer Ecopower in a sector called Mar Brava west of Ancud in Chiloé Island, Chile.[1] Chiloé Wind Farm is one four large wind farm projects approved by Sistema de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental (SEIA) in the period of 2010–2017,[2] and if constructed it would be the largest wind farm in the whole Chiloé Archipelago. The project included the construction of 42 wind turbines and with a power generation of 100 MW.[3] [2]

The project has been met by significant opposition as it is claimed it would destroy "pristine" landscapes and reduce their potential for tourism.[1] The investment in the project is estimated to be about 250 million US dollars (2018) financed by Chilean and Swedish sources.[1] Supporters of the project claim the project would together with Chacao Channel bridge help end Chiloé Island's isolation.[1] It is also claimed it will give the power outage-prone island more reliable electricity sources and independence.[1] At least initially, some environmentalists supported the project as it was "clean energy".[1]

The project was first heard of in 2007, and was subsequently presented by the mayor of Ancud Pablo Ossio (DC) as being in negotiation.[1] In 2019 the Chilean state sued Ecopower for not paying the rent for the sites of the project.[3]

References

-41.8846°N -73.9956°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parque Eólico Chiloé: la larga historia del proyecto que divide a Ancud. Spanish. June 25, 2018. June 10, 2020. Terram.cl. Fundacion Terram.
  2. Book: Durán, Vanessa. Archipiélago de Chiloé: nuevas lecturas de un territorio en movimiento. CESCH. 2018. 978-956-09219-0-1. 7–8. Moncada. Eduardo. Natho. Federico. Spanish. Megaparques eólicos, destrucción de turberas y conflictividad sociopolítica.
  3. News: Fisco demandó a empresa aerogeneradora eléctrica Ecopower por no pagar arriendo en Chiloé. April 7, 2019. June 3, 2020. Radio Cooperativa. Spanish.