Danger looming over the Amazon: Launch of Colombia's latest hydropower initiative
In the Caquetá region of Colombia, two new hydropower plants—Tulpa and Guaya—are planned to be constructed by Isagen S.A. and Epsa S.A. These projects, expected to generate 48 MW and 648 MW of energy, respectively, are part of a larger national development strategy. However, the socio-environmental and cultural costs of these projects are a subject of debate.
Caquetá, known for its numerous rivers and diverse ecosystems, has long been a stronghold of armed groups and the FARC guerrillas, making economic development challenging. The region's potential economic use, previously marred by drug trafficking and violent conflicts, is now being explored with the plans for hydropower plants.
Hydropower forms a significant basis for Colombia's electricity supply and is considered a sustainable development model by the state. The sector makes up a 70 percent share of the national energy mix, making Colombia the third-largest in hydropower production in Latin America.
However, the short lifespan of dams, usually not exceeding 30 years, and the potential negative impacts on local ecosystems are factors that need careful consideration. The Hidroituango hydropower plant in Colombia, for instance, triggered a major flood accident in 2018 and caused numerous environmental conflicts. Two studies in 2018 revealed that the benefits of hydropower often cannot compensate for the negative impacts on the environment, culture, and livelihoods.
A study published at the end of 2018 showed that hydroelectric power plants can lead to the fragmentation of Andean-Amazon connectivity, potentially impairing important river connections and leading to a collapse of the habitat. The planned hydropower plants in the Amazon region of Caquetá could have similar impacts.
Moreover, the generated energy from these proposed hydropower plants could potentially be used for large-scale extractivism projects, such as the coal and hydrocarbon industries, which could expand fossil fuel use. This raises concerns about the sustainability of these development plans.
The El Quimbo hydroelectric power plant, which affected 11,000 hectares of forest and ignored the rights of local communities, serves as a cautionary tale. It is crucial to have long-term socio-environmental and cultural costs evaluated by experts before starting construction on new hydropower plants to ensure the potential costs of national development plans are understood.
The peace treaty led to a partial withdrawal of armed groups, opening up the possibility for the Amazon region to be used for national energy supply. The Colombian companies Latinco S.A and Isagen have been promoting a development concept in nearby villages for five years, with the hope of fostering economic development. However, the debate about the real need and potential negative effects of these new hydropower plants continues.
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