Chilean regulator charges AES power plant with environmental violations

AES

26/01/2023 20:28

SANTIAGO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Chile's environmental
regulator accused a major hydroelectric power facility operated
by U.S.-based AES  AES.N  of violations, largely related to a
failure to build required infrastructure but also charges it
skirted its ecological obligations.
    Environment regulator SMA outlined four charges covering
AES' $3.5 billion Alto Maipo project in a statement on Thursday,
which also accuse it of engaging in work in a protected
paleontological area plus unlawful moving of fauna.
    Alto Maipo, located southeast of the capital Santiago,
features two power plants and an extensive network of tunnels
that extend deep under the Andes Mountains. It has been mired in
controversy dating back several years, including fierce
opposition from local communities who complain the facilities
harm their access to water.    
    An audit showed that the company's local unit AES Andes
failed to build a "complementary" water outlet for irrigation
for a canal set out in previously agreed to deal with local
communities, SMA Superintendent Marie Claude Plumer said in the
statement.
    AES Andes  AESANDES.SN  did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
    The violations could lead to a fine of around $18.5 million,
the closure of the plants or the termination of its
environmental permit.
    AES Andes sells electricity to Chile as well as Colombia and
Argentina. 
    It has 10 working days to present a compliance plan and 15
working days to submit its response, according to the regulator.
 (Reporting by Fabián Andrés Cambero; Editing by David Gregorio)
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