In Latin America, like in all areas whose development is fast-paced, energy – especially electricity – demand is rapidly growing. Various countries register a difficult situation, with large areas that receive inadequate supplies or that must regularly plan power cuts.
In order to face this situation, dozens of hydroelectric projects are under development in the entire continent.
The region already greatly relies on hydropower. In Paraguay, 100% of electricity needs are met through this source, 85% in Brazil, almost 70% in Venezuela. Nevertheless, a huge amount of resources are still available, and more than any other this energy source can generate great amounts of competitive energy, with no emissions whatsoever.
In Brazil projects are under construction for dozens of thousands of MW, including enormous plants like Belo Monte (11,200 MW) and Santo Antonio (3,150 MW).
In Colombia a 2,400 MW facility is being built at Ituango, while between Paraguay and Argentina a 270 MW plant is under construction, which will reinforce the 3,200 MW of the Yaciretá facility. In Chile work continues at Los Condores (150 MW), Angostura (316 MW), Alto Maipo (530 MW) and other sites. In Peru various projects are under development, including Cerro del Aguila (510 MW) and Chaglla (406 MW).
Significant projects are under construction in Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, but practically every country, without any exceptions, is planning to harness hydroelectric resources. Including Ecuador, Bolivia and Costa Rica, which are not planning large-scale plants, but focus instead on several small-scale facilities.
