How convenient that the DECRETO DE URGENCIA Nº 012-2010 is coming just in time, in order to take the world attention from the horrific Inambari Hydroelectric Dam Project, that the Peruvian Government is so fond of, and signed on the 18th of February 2010.
On the 18th of February 2010, the Peruvian government signed an agreement to sell energy to Brasil for the duration of 30 year.
Inambari Dam is the first in a list of Dams that would be built to supply the energy to Brasil.
From http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com we learn-
“Both governments speak of a total of 15 dams to be built with Brazilian technology to meet the market. According to the minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil, Edison Lobao, this production could reach 20 thousand MW.
The Agreement for the Supply of Electricity to Peru and Export Surplus in Brazil that will last 30 years is ready and about to be signed.
Inambari be the first of these six plants already planned. A project economic and energy front. Until today the Peruvian Amazon had never seen any work of this size. Inambari will be the largest hydro plant in Peru, the fifth of South America, with its 41000 hectares of flooded area would form the second largest lake in the country, second only to the very lake Titicaca.”
Town of Inambari, which will be flooded by the reservoir if the dam is built. Photo: Barbara Fraser
Talking about numbers… Most numbers concerning the Dam are now on 46000 hectares of forest that would be flooded. The last number Brack gave about Mines forestation was 18000 Hectares… not that it makes it any better…
Bank Information Centre is giving us a further look into the horror-
“The Inambari Hydroelectric Center would be the largest in Peru and the fifth largest in Latin America, requiring an investment of 4 billion dollars, with an installed generation capacity of 2000 MW. The dam will be constructed under a framework agreement signed by the governments of Peru and Brazil in April 2009 for the construction of six hydroelectric dams in Peru.
The direct benefits to Peru would essentially be in the form of income from energy exported to Brazil. The bilateral agreement states that part of the energy would be for national consumption, however currently, no information is available regarding percentages of energy generated for export and energy for internal consumption.
Among the possible impacts of the project, according to ECSA Engineers, the company in charge of the EIA for the project, the dam’s reservoir would flood 161Km of the Interoceanic Highway as well as 65 communities in the departments of Puno, Cuzco and Madre de Dios that would have to be relocated and compensated. Additional impacts include those typical of dams in the Amazon, including affectation of flora and fauna, interruption of fish migratory routes, impacts on the flow and navigability of the river, among others. The final EIA of the project is expected to be released by ECSA Engineers in early 2010. “
Bank Information Centre is giving much more details and maps, so do pay it a visit.
It is also telling us-
“There is a sole article concerning the environment is very vague: “Art.9 Sustainable Development. All activities within the agreement will be carried out respecting the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental conservation,…” Previously, those responsible for drafting the agreement received a series of recommendations from civil society organizations and professionals, which were not included.”