The Biobío Region is the country´s most important energy generating center. Thus, the main hydroelectric plants – Pangue, Ralco and Palmucho – are all located in the upper area of the Biobío River basin. At the same time the Antuco, Abanico and El Toro hydroelectric plants are located in the Laja River basin.
As a result of the construction of the Ralco Plant in the 1990s, nearly 3,500 hectares of indigenous land was flooded, affecting the communities of Ralco Lepoy and Quepuca Ralco. The construction of the Ralco Power Plant meant that 81 families (approximately 400 people) had to relocate giving rise to the communities of Ayin Mapu, in the Santa Barbara sector, and El Barco, in the Alto Biobío upper sector.
The company-driven relationship between Enel and the community has led to agreements signed with the indigenous communities of Guayalí, El Barco, Ralco Lepoy, Quepuca Ralco, Aukin Walmapu, El Avellano and Pitril, all located in the Alto Biobío regional division. Agreements have also been reached with the communities of Ayin Mapu, in Santa Bárbara and Los Chaicanes, in the Lonquimay area.
This link with the environment, familiarity with the territory and the continuous dialogue with the communities, have promoted the Company's collaboration with the Pehuenche families, in particular with their agricultural and service activities.
The Company has also promoted unrestricted respect for individual and collective human rights and for families and communities that live in the proximity of the plant. To comply with this vision and objective, due diligence processes have been carried out, the results of which are promising and have made it possible for the Company to identify and address the different existing gaps.
At the same time, the agreements reached with local leaders have made the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals a pillar of autonomous development that the communities promote for themselves. This is why the Territorial Plan presented below focuses on SDG 4, Quality Education; SDG 7, Affordable and non-polluting energy; SDG 8, Economic Growth and Decent Work and; SDG 13, Climate Action.
