Designing a hydroelectric project that reduces Chile’s reliance on fossil fuel
Located in the Alto Cachapoal Valley of the Andes Mountains in Chile, the Chacayes Hydropower Project is an explicit example of how we care for the community. The $450 million project, jointly owned by Pacific Hydro and Astaldi, was conceived to provide 300,000 homes with clean energy. In addition to offering sustainable solutions in an ecologically diverse area, Chacayes effectively reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and eliminates 340,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution each year.
Chacayes channels the natural flow of the Cachapoal River, utilizing low-height intake tunnels that minimize environmental impacts and eliminate the need for large reservoirs. The scope of Chacayes required our team to enlist several environmental and social initiatives that promote community partnerships, support environmental preservation, and align with the Kyoto Protocol.
Inaugurated in 2011, Chacayes is the first in a series of five run-of-river hydroelectric projects being developed to add more than 111MW of renewable energy capacity to Chile’s national grid. Our team was more than honored to win the Environmental Initiative of the Year Award in 2011.
At a Glance
- Client
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- Pacific Hydro and Astaldi
Joaquín Cánchero, Geotechnical Leader
I‘m focused on creating a team known for delivering top-tier work—gaining a client’s complete trust is key.
My work philosophy is to look for solutions that combine pragmatism and creativity—I’m always focused on meeting the needs of our clients.
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