What will be the characteristics of the transmission line that will be built to transport electricity from the plants to the Central Interconnected Grid?

Given the sensitivity of this project, Energía Austral’s work is structured around the following four pillars in order to achieve a project of excellence:

1. Protected Areas and Native Forest: Avoidance of intervention in areas of great scenic value;
2. Social and Productive Interests: Efforts to reach agreements, maximisation of opportunities and permanent dialogue;
3. Accessibility: Equilibrium between existing and new routes; Facilities for access, operation and construction;
Security: Supply security; Geographic and weather considerations.

In general terms, the project envisages a collector system to pick up power from the three hydroelectric plants, a transformer station near the Cuervo plant, a direct-current line with a length of approximately 800 km, including an underwater segment, and a second transformer station on the northern part of the line.

The transmission line will transport the power generated to Chile’s Central Interconnected Grid (SIC) to which it will connect in the Los Ríos Region.

When will the route of Energía Austral’s transmission line be defined?

At present, we are working on the environmental studies. This information will help in defining the route that is most sustainable from the environmental and social points of view. We will be in a position to announce the route during 2012.
We are designing our transmission project according to criteria that seek to harmonise its engineering with care for the environment and human settlements. These imply: 

• Not intervening protected areas and native forest;
• Protecting social and economic interests and giving pride of place to dialogue and the reaching of agreements;
• Striking a balance between existing and new roads in facilitating the line’s construction and operation and access to it;
• Guaranteeing supply security, using the most advanced technology and taking into account geographic and climatic factors.

Is a route through Argentina an option?

Our base scenario is to transport the energy produced by our plants through Chile and this is currently our foremost option. Given that this is a socially and environmentally sensitive project, we have analysed all the options. However, the possibility of taking the line through Argentina is not envisaged in our work plan. 

Has an agreement been signed with HidroAysén for the development of a joint transmission line?

In November 2011, we signed an agreement with HidroAysén that seeks to minimise the environmental impacts of our transmission projects. Under this agreement, adjacent and parallel lines will be built in a shared corridor of land, thereby concentrating their impacts in one place and allowing the lines to be managed with much greater efficiency. This solution will give Chile access to an important block of energy (some 4,000 MW) while minimising the impacts.

What does the agreement with HidroAysén imply? A joint Environmental Impact Study, for example?

The agreement does not envisage a joint Environmental Impact Study since Chile’s environmental legislation is very clear in not permitting this as an option. In this respect, the two projects will maintain their independence, applying separately for their respective environmental permits and concessions. Technical studies are still required to identify and define the specific synergies that exist but there is no doubt that they will be very beneficial for Chile. 

What environmental impacts do transmission lines have?

In general, these depend on the type of project - overhead, submarine or underground and whether alternating or direct current is used, etc. - and the variables that determine the nature of the impacts are different. In the case of this particular project, they will be duly assessed in the corresponding Environmental Impact Study once we have defined the project.

How will the line’s route affect my municipal district/region?

The transmission line is being designed according to the principle of not affecting national parks or areas that are important for their scenery and tourism and of minimising environmental impacts throughout its route, including the large cities of the Aysén Region. For its citizens, there is, in addition, the guarantee that the project’s impacts will be evaluated by the environmental authority whose mission is to ensure that projects like Energía Austral have the least possible impact.

What is the most critical issue for Energía Austral’s transmission project?

We believe that its most sensitive aspect will be dialogue with the landowners and communities on its route. We are aware of this project’s sensitivity and will, therefore, work with total respect for people.

How much could the project affect tourism in the area?

Its route is being designed so as not to affect national parks and to minimise impacts in areas of great scenic value. Its impacts will be duly evaluated its Environmental Impact Study but, from the design stage, we have incorporated criteria that seek to minimise them.

Will the line intervene national parks, protected areas, sites of interest, natural water courses, etc.?

Studies for the transmission line have yet to be concluded. We are working on environmental studies that will allow us to take a final decision on the route that is most sustainable socially and environmentally. However, we must point out that, as in the case of Energía Austral’s plants, which will not be built in national parks or areas declared protected by the state of Chile, we will apply this same principle to the transmission line. 

What type of measures of compensation, in addition to the environmental ones, are envisaged for our municipal district/region?

We are working to achieve a route that provides the best possible integration with surrounding communities. Once a final decision has been taken on the route, compensation measures will be analysed and evaluated through the Environmental Impact Study. Each community, person or piece of land affected by the transmission project will receive proper compensation in accordance with the legislation in force.  

Many people (landowners, communities) will be negatively affected and few will gain.

Projects like Energía Austral are developed by companies from a business standpoint but the opportunity to have more clean and lower-cost energy, accompanied by supply security, will benefit all Chileans and the country as a whole by leveraging its development and increasing its competitiveness.

What form will negotiations with owners of land on the transmission line’s route take?

Once we have defined the characteristics of the transmission project, we will seek to approach landowners directly to agree on terms.

Do you already have a plan of work with the communities that will be affected by the transmission line?

The definition of its route is part of the feasibility stage which has yet to be concluded. Once we have a definite route, we will be able to start the processes of dialogue needed to define and agree on a plan of work with the community. We would, however, like to provide reassurance that we will seek the best channels and most appropriate forums for all those involved.

Will the transmission line affect indigenous communities?

We are carrying out an exhaustive survey to determine this with precision. If there are indigenous communities on the line’s route, we will work with strict adherence to the principles of respect for their culture and way of life and seek dialogue with them. We are striving to achieve a route that is integrated with all surrounding communities in the best possible way. 

How would the implementation of the so-called “electricity highway” affect Energía Austral?

We see it as valuable that there is discussion of a model of this type from a long-term standpoint and in terms of the country’s energy needs. However, since the initiative is still at the conceptual stage and many definitions are still required, we are not yet in a position to assess its impact on our transmission project.
As the initiative develops and the authorities provide more details, we will evaluate how we can best cooperate.
For the moment, Energía Austral is continuing to develop its transmission project as established in its work programme.