There were scenes of jubilation in the capital city Santiago’s Plaza Italia as opponents of the dam heard the news.
“This is a historic day,” Juan Pablo Orrego, international coordinator of the Patagonia Without Dams campaign, told IPS news agency after the decision was announced.
“I am moved that the citizens… managed to finally inspire a government to do the right thing in the face of a mega-project,” he added.
“We did it. We won. Viva Chile!” and “Goodbye HidroAysen!” were among the messages tweeted on the group’s Twitter account.
The company may still appeal the project. The dam project, one of numerous schemes around the world that have sparked protests, would generate a about a third of Chile’s current energy needs. Experts say that Chile, which has a heavy reliance on a energy-intensive mining industry, will have to triple its current 18,000-megawatt power generation capacity within 15 years.
However, since being elected last year, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet had said the plan was not viable.
via Chile rejects Patagonia wilderness dam project | News | DW.DE | 11.06.2014.




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