Perù, state-of-the-art hydroelectricity

Of the Latin American countries in which we operate, Peru is one of the richest in hydroelectric resources. A total of 47% of the almost 1,700 MW generated by Enel Generación in the Andean nation comes from water power, which fuels no less than eight power stations, six of which are located in the area around the capital city of Lima. The area is home to the basins of the Rimac and Santa Eulalia rivers, which power the Huinco and Matucana power stations, with the Callahuanca, Moyopampa and Huampaní stations located further downstream on the same watercourse. Energy recovery Huampaní, in particular, is an example of highly sustainable management, as Enel Green Power has carried out a whole series of improvements on it, culminating recently in the launch of a completely automated management system. Operational since 1960, the power station generates 30.9 MW thanks to two generators equipped with Francis turbines. Since 2017, a further 0.7 MW has also been produced using an innovative solution called HER, Hydro Energy Recovery, in which two microturbines harness the flow of water coming out of the two main generators, which is channeled into a special canal for that purpose. Automation and remote control Huampaní also has a remote control system developed in 2021 that allows its operations to be managed and supervised remotely and automatically. In fact, the station can be controlled from a single internal control point within the plant but also from the nearby Moyopampa power plant about 20 km upstream thanks to a special radio link. This is something that could well turn out to be useful in helping to comply with Covid-19 restrictions and avoiding too many people gathering in one place, which might cause the virus to spread. Anti-flooding reforestation Besides these more technological aspects, however, the Huampaní power station is also the focus of a series of activities that highlight our commitment to sustainability. The recent upgrading work carried out on the canals that channel the water to the station also has allowed us to create green areas in the local area. In practical terms, this meant the donation and planting of almost 5,700 trees: a total of 700 were assigned to Ausapa, the Association of Users of the Upper Huampaní Potable Water Service; 2,000 went to the municipality of Santa Eulalia and 2,940 to the municipality of Chosica, both near Huampaní. In addition, Enel is a member of the area’s Risk and Disaster Prevention Committee, collaborating with local authorities in preventative activities and rescue simulations. Due to climate change, the entire area has increasingly been the victim of torrential rains and devastating floods over the last decade. A case in point was 2017, when 14,000 homes were destroyed across Peru, leaving 150,000 people homeless. Circular Economy and Social Focus Another program instigated in Huampaní is Reciclatec, through which computers and other electronic devices no longer used in the company are donated to educational institutions in the community with the dual aim of extending their working life as part of the circular economy and providing the local people with easier access to digitalization. We’ve also launched a composting station project at Huampaní. It will be used to process around 15 tons of organic waste a year from the five hydroelectric stations in the watershed area. The resulting compost will be used in a native plant nursery, also located in the station, with the seedlings and saplings being planted in the green areas around the power stations to combat soil erosion on the slopes. This initiative is part of Enel Power Generation Peru’s large BIRD project, whose acronym stands for its four main areas of action: Biodiversity, Innovation, Natural Resources and Decarbonization, as well as the Energy Transition. Every year, we also launch educational campaigns which involve distributing school kits to children as well as Christmas projects to donate food hampers to families most in need in the area. Pandemic-related initiatives In addition to all of these activities, other projects have been launched to help the people in the area deal with the pandemic. In particular, we’ve made large donations of masks and other PPE supplies to the municipality of Huampaní, the National Police, healthcare centers and the general population. Since Covid-19 struck the area, we’ve also updated our normal Christmastime activities to assist people in need. While in past years we donated toys, in 2020, we launched a new activity called “Que nuestra energía nunca se detenga” (May Our Energy Never End). Rather than toys, this time we’re donating food hampers containing basic necessities purchased in the local area to disadvantaged families. It’s another way we’re supporting the region’s economic recovery.

{{ currentMenugamenu.label }}

{{ currentSubMenugamenu.label }}

{{ card.title }}

{{ currentSubMenugamenu.numbers.title }}

Perù, state-of-the-art hydroelectricity

Perù, state-of-the-art hydroelectricity

Related content

{{article.title}}

{{article.title}}

{{article.title}}