Posted on July, 11 2011

Lima, July 11. “There is an urgent need to openly discuss the Peruvian national energy development policy in order to guarantee a comprehensive strategy that contributes to economic growth, but under a strict sustainability framework, especially in scenarios as valuable and vulnerable as the Amazon” says biologist Aldo Soto, WWF Peru’s Specialist on Amazon and Energy issues.

Precisely on this topic, the International Seminar on Regional Hydropower Projects Lessons, organized by the Hydroelectric and  Amazon plants Association (formed by WWF), took place in Lima on 6 July. This event gathered South American specialists to discuss the current national energy situation and the plans for hydroelectric development in the Amazon, with a view to learn from experiences such as the Yaciretá hydroelectric dam in Paraguay and the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in Brazil.

In recent years, Peru has become one of Latin America's most promising and attractive countries for investment. Both, industry and commerce have been experiencing a rapid growth, and precisely one of the main drivers to continue on the way to greater national economic development is the responsible generation and use of energy.

In this context, the current debate focuses on the plans Peru has for the launching of several hydropower projects in different regions of the Amazon. This involves the construction of large hydroelectric power plants (dams) which, of course, would have a direct impact on the life of indigenous communities settled there. Moreover, the Amazon River basin is comprised by over 100 000 km of rivers and streams, which represent the region’s vascular system. This means that their flows cannot be altered drastically without significantly affecting the pulse that gives life to the whole system.

“Before deciding whether to carry out these projects or not, it is necessary, as a nation, to have a comprehensive energy strategy that allows us to know our potential to meet our demand in the years to come, without compromising areas of great cultural and environmental diversity like the Amazon”, says Soto.

By signing the Peru - Brazil energy agreement in 2010, the Peruvian government agreed to facilitate the promotion of these hydroelectric power plants in the Peruvian Amazon, and to export energy to Brazil. However, the execution of necessary technical studies has not been considered, and to date there is no policy or national energy strategy that has been widely discussed with stakeholders.

One of the areas that would be affected by this agreement is Pongo de Pakitzapango in the Ene River, located in the central Amazon of Peru. This site is considered as sacred for the Ashaninka ethnic group, whose population on the area exceeds 10 000 inhabitants, and who have already suffered the forced displacement as a cause of terrorism in the 90's.

In this regard, Ruth Buendia, President of the indigenous association Central Ashaninka del Río Ene, requested their peoples to be included when taking decisions that affect them. “We are not against development, but rather we are thinking about the future of our children, and therefore, seeking sustainable development. We are the people, so the State should consult us, since we are the ones who know the customs and traditions of this place” she said.

Besides promoting an open dialogue as to incorporate the affected stakeholders in these decision-making process, WWF is now actively fostering a science based Decision Support System, aimed at facilitating a more informed debate, and orienting the best possible decisions to ensure the needed social and environmental considerations are incorporated in the Amazon development plans.