Hydroelectricity, king of South America’s Renewable Energy

To many, South America is a place of jungles and hidden tribes in the Amazon, and piranhas. It is perceived as a place where one can still find old worlds and old traditions and they’d be partly right. Whilst the modern world is well established here, many of the old traditional ways of life and beliefs live on strongly.

One such belief is found in the Incan culture where the god Huiracocha travels from Lake Titicaca toward the ocean in streams that cut deep veins, or rivers, into the earth. This voyage would then continue through the milky way and return to the people by falling as rain again. An ancient, poetic image of the hydrologic cycle.

However, far from being a continent of jungle dwellers, the continent as a whole is developing and electricity consumption is growing rapidly. It is here that water finds itself a modern form of the same life-force described by the Incan culture.

On a global scale of renewable energy generation, the South American countries rank fairly highly and this is largely thanks to the role that Hydroelectric generation has played.

Currently Brazil ranks 1st in South America 3rd in the world as far as MW of electricity generated by renewable energy sources. Taking into account how much power is generated in the country, a staggering 81,31% of the country’s electricity- generating capabilities are renewable. Hydroelectric power generation accounts for 81144 MW generated with other alternative forms accounting for a further 10924 MW.* Bio Mass and wind farms are the two major contributors to this figure, with wind-powered generation growing most rapidly in the past five years.

Argentina has also been very dependent on hydroelectric energy. Although the total amount generated by renewable sources only accounts for 26,19% of power generated in the country, steps are being taken to further other forms of power generation. At present only around 112 MW is generated by other renewable means whilst hydroelectric generation accounts for 9118 MW. However, developments such as the massive 1350 MW wind-farm in the province of Chubut (expected to be complete by 2017) will do much to diversify the renewable energy statistics for Argentina.

Paraguay is most heavily dependent on hydroelectric power-generation with all of it’s renewable energy coming from this source which accounts for 99,93% of the country’s total energy production.

Although Chile produces roughly 2780 MW more than Peru, both obtain around 44% of their total energy requirements from renewable sources with hydroelectric generation accounting for 95% and 99% of these respectively.

Uruguay’s total power-generation is made up of 69,6% renewable sources. Again, Hydro electric accounting for 97% of this. Since 2009 there has been a steady increase in alternative sources, once again mainly wind-energy, installed whilst hydroelectric generating potential has remained unchanged.

Whilst wind power-generation is beginning to take a foothold in virtually every country, particularly in Argentina, it is clear that hydroelectric generation is still the king of renewable energy in South America.

*Figures are correct as of 2011 statistics on http://www.energici.com/