Endesa Eco, a subsidiary of Endesa Chile, has submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the construction and operation of the 7.6MW Piruquina hydro plant in Chile's Los Lagos Region.
With an estimated investment of US$24M, the plant will use the waters of the river Carihueico through a supply duct and pressure pipe about 350m long, with a design flow of 32m3/sec and net altitude fall of 27m.
Principal permanent project works include a movable barrier on the river Carihueico, flow supply works, intake works, intake canal, load and safety chamber, pressure pipe, and machine room, plus the new Las Compuertas bridge and permanent access roads.
The project is expected to be registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project.