Ecología política y represas: elementos para el análisis del Proyecto HidroAysén en la Patagonia chilena

Abstract

This article presents a critical review of studies on dams and their possible articulation with an analysis of the political ecology. The aim is to contribute to the research on the reach and impacts of these mega-investments, which are understood as socio-ecological configurations that represent the power of the elite, both materially and symbolically. However, the construction of dams requires the consolidation of hegemonic discourses to make environmental and social transformations possible with citizen support. Given this argument, I analysed the case of HidroAysén in Chile, focusing on the discourses the energy companies and the government bodies that support this project. Finally, I explore the consequences that HidroAysén is having in terms of the environmental conflict; the tension between dam's promoters and opponents as to idea of Patagonia, and how changes to energy policy are promoted