Central Itata hydroelectric plant demanded an investment of US $ 50 million"Without energy there is no development" were the words with which the Minister of Energy, Máximo Pacheco, began his speech at the inauguration of the Itata Central, held today in the commune of Yungay. The event was also attended by Mayor Rodrigo Díaz, Governor Lorena Vera, Energy Seremi, Carola Venegas and more than 150 guests.

"Because of the geographical characteristics of the ?uble, the development of mini hydro power plants in the area is especially interesting because they are projects that adapt more easily to their environment and can become the great master key to improve the quality of life of the population . The Itata plant, whose construction process established relationships and implemented collaborative actions with the communities, shows that this type of partnership is what we want to see in all energy projects and, by the way, we hope that it is also part of the others 12 projects that are being developed in the province and can mean a contribution of 93 MW and an investment of US $ 243 million, "said Minister Máximo Pacheco.

In the same vein, the president of the Puntilla Electricity Board, Pablo Pérez Cruz, stressed that "the construction of this plant is a good example of how we plan to develop our projects, achieving an appropriate balance between respect for communities, the environment Environment and the needs that the progress demands ".

Owned by Eléctrica Puntilla, the new power plant has an installed capacity of 20 MW and an average annual generation of 72 GWh, enough to supply about 40 thousand homes in Chile. Located on the side of the Salto del Itata and 15 km from the commune of Yungay, it is the first central of this type that is built in the commune.

During the event, the Mayor of the Bío Bío Region, Rodrigo Diaz, explained that currently there are 16 projects of ERNC in development in the region and that "the doors are open for the development of new energy projects", explaining that they are fundamental for A region with an industrial vocation like that of Bío Bío. During his speech, the Intendente also highlighted the way in which the project of the Power Plant was developed, especially for the good relations generated with the communities and respect for the environment in all its stages.

Characteristics of the plant

Among the highlights of this work is that the waters of the Itata River are captured only 150 meters upstream of the Salto, with a lateral bocatoma that does not intervene the channel or generates reservoirs that alter the level of the river. From there they are diverted to the loading chamber and then to the turbines, which are located 60 meters deep, so that their operation is almost imperceptible, both visually and auditively, from the surface. The return of the waters is done approximately 250 meters below the Salto.

To operate in full capacity, the plant requires a maximum flow of 45 cubic meters per second, which is equivalent to 35% of the water rights owned by the company. However, during periods of low river flow and during summer, when there is daylight, the power station will not operate, to preserve the beauty of the Itata Falls.

Also worth mentioning are the replacement of forest plantations by native species in the areas affected by the project and the construction of the Parque Mirador Salto del Itata, one of the activities that the company develops, together with the municipality of Yungay, in order to enhance the Tourism of the area through an attractive view to the river and the 75 mts of the Salto. The park will have a service and information sector, commercial modules for local gastronomy and handicrafts, picnic areas, trails and viewpoints to introduce the most characteristic native species.

At the end of the ceremony, the company decided to replace the traditional souvenir for the guests by a donation to the library of the School of Ranchillos, community near the central. "We know how important it is to study in a warm environment for students, so we donate technological elements that facilitate access to information," said Alejandro Gomez, general manager of Eléctrica Puntilla during the presentation of the contribution to the mayor of Yungay, Pedro Inostroza, on behalf of all those present.

It should be noted that Eléctrica Puntilla has six other plants in operation, including Central Florida, which dates from 1909 and is the oldest in Latin America. With Itata, the generation capacity of the company with run-of-the-mill plants totals 78.6 MW.