Weather phenomena (such as the wind, rain and the rise and fall of water levels in rivers) and human activities can erode the soil and therefore damage the plants growing on the shores of reservoirs, and the banks of rivers or streams. This weakens the forest cover that protects the soil. In order to reverse this process, Enel Green Power Panama has for years been working on an innovative reforestation project to control the areas which are directly impacted by the erosion (or that are otherwise potentially unstable) along the shores of the reservoir of the Fortuna hydroelectric plant, which is fed by the Chiriquí River. It's a task that involves a number of measures aimed at protecting, preventing or promptly correcting any ecosystemic problems, while always focusing on safety. There are several consequences of soil degradation in these areas: from soil infertility, to the increase in the level of sedimentation in the reservoir or water basins. Mitigating these impacts is always a major challenge from an environmental perspective. A look at the reforestation process The Fortuna power plant reservoir spans 1,000 hectares covered with water when the level is at maximum capacity (1,050 meters above sea level) and 100 hectares at its minimum level (1,000 meters above sea level). Furthermore, the area is also subject to strong winds, which cause waves that impact the bare soil and increase erosion. For this reason, one of the measures implemented to reverse the process was to sow and regrow Vetiver (or Chrysopogon zizanioides), a type of perennial grass with tall stems and long, thin, hard leaves, and roots that quickly grow to four meters deep. Precisely because of the latter, Vetiver is famous for its capacity to combat erosion. For the sowing process, which was carried out in collaboration with the local community, with activities that involved clearing, replanting, fertilizing and pruning shrubs, our HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment and Quality) department developed a nursery for this particular plant species. Another strategy for stopping erosion involved placing dead contour barriers to reinforce the soil. It entailed using 44 pipes of 1.50 meters in diameter and 6.10 meters in length. The pipes had originally been discarded due to damage during the power plant’s transfer project. Following the principles of the circular economy, this waste was transformed into material that helped counteract soil degradation. The results of these measures have been positive: between 2015 and 2020, more than 1,700 meters of dead contour barriers were built, as were more than 23,000 meters of live contour barriers. Vetiver grass was used for controlling the degradation of the lake´s shores, and approximately 2,300 meters of plant cover was restored using the same species around the reservoir. One example is the reforestation of one of the 17 tributaries of the Chiriquí River: Frank Creek. Sustainability, a sign of identity This reforestation process is a fine example of sustainability. It’s based on circular economy principles and it has managed, thanks to an innovative and creative idea, to control the degradation of the soil around the Fortuna power plant reservoir. The corrosion is evident in the low levels of sedimentation highlighted by the periodic measurements carried out as part of the water quality monitoring process, and by bathymetry (a technique for measuring the depth of ocean and lake floors – ed). These measurements are made by the reservoir´s technical staff every two years, and they compare the baseline and the forecast of the sediment input to the reservoir with the results obtained by the afore-mentioned bathymetry. Once again, sustainability proves to be a key element that spans every aspect of our business, and together with innovation and creativity, enables us to develop successful solutions for facing evolving challenges.
