Resumen

FORNILLO, Bruno  y  NUNEZ, Jonatan. Aysén Life Reserve: Energy, Commodification and Resistance in Chilean Patagonia. Letras Verdes [online]. 2021, n.29, pp.65-81. ISSN 1390-6631.  https://doi.org/10.17141/letrasverdes.29.2021.4449.

This article analyzes the situation of energy in the Chilean region of Aysén, in recent years. The singularities generated by its late full incorporation into the national territory, its composition and the tensions in the area, which reflect the broader problems of Chile and Patagonia are observed. The focus of the investigation is the open conflict around the mega-dam installation project called HidroAysén, which sparked a series of resistance and enhanced experiences such as the EnercoopAysen electric cooperative. The objective is to analyze the immediate consequences of the reactions to the role assigned to the region in the national energy matrix by the executive power. A qualitative methodology is used, based on semi-structured interviews with key informants. The interviews were carried out in Aysén and Santiago de Chile in January 2019. The results show the power of the movement of Aysén to impose its concerns on the national political agenda, which made it possible to stop the construction of the dams but not to institute an alternative energy regime. The main conclusion is that, despite the difficulties imposed by the prevailing neoliberal regulations in Chile, the experience of the Aysén social movement could pave the way for new languages ​​of valuation.

Palabras clave : Aysén; Chilean Patagonia; cooperatives; mega-dams; post-development; social resistance.

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