A sustainable development approach in the engineering

and design criteria for the Aysn hydropower project

Bernardo Canales
Hidroaysn S.A.
Miraflores 383
Santiago, Chile

Daniel Roth
Hidroaysn S.A.
Miraflores 383
Santiago, Chile

Ricardo Gonzlez
Ingendesa S.A.
Miraflores 383
Santiago, Chile

Bettina Jahn
Ingendesa S.A.
Miraflores 383
Santiago, Chile

Introduction
Important engineering, environmental, and efficiency related challenges have been met in the design of the
Aysn Hydroelectric Project (Proyecto Hidroelctrico Aysn in Spanish or PHA). The project involves the
construction of 5 Hydroelectric Power Plants (HPP) in the Baker and Pascua rivers in the southernmost part of
Chile.
The hydroelectric complex will have a total installed power capacity of 2,750 MW and a total annual generating
output of 18,430 GWh that will be conducted to central Chile through a 2,000 km, 500 kV HVDC transmission
line.
In August 2008, the Projects Environmental Impact Assessment was submitted to the Chilean authorities for
approval and is currently under evaluation.
A concept of Design for mitigation was included in the Projects engineering scheme from the early stages of
conceptual design, establishing criteria consistent with a sustainable development approach. This calls for early
detection of environmental impacts, allows for project adjustments and the optimization and reduction of
potentially harmful effects on the environment on a broad range of issues.
The Aysn Hydroelectric Project will harvest part of the energy potential of the Baker and Pascua rivers which
are noted for their narrow valleys, steep slopes and large naturally regulated discharge rates. Once in operation,
the PHA will be connected to Chiles Central Interconnected Power Grid, which currently provides power to
over 90% of the countrys population.
Early exploration activities date back to the 1940s, while the first fluviometric stations were installed in the
1960s to determine the rivers hydroelectric potential.
A series of conceptual designs and adjustments were developed starting in the mid-1970s and up to the 1990s.
The result was a project designed to build a total of four HPPs, two on each river, and involved a total combined
reservoir area of 300 km2, and a total installed capacity of 2,760 MW.
Starting in 2004 and as a result of a series of field studies, technical analysis and environmental considerations, a
new conceptual solution was achieved in 2007. This new project involves building five HPPs, two on the Baker
River and three on the Pascua River. They will have a total installed capacity of 2,750 MW, a total annual
average energy production of 18,430 GWh and what can be highlighted as the main innovation a total
reservoir area of only 59.1 km2, making the Aysn Hydroelectric Project a highly efficient hydropower
generation project. Key figures in this respect are a 47 MW/km2 installed capacity per reservoir area ratio and a
generation capacity per reservoir area ratio of 312 GWh-year/km2.

Project description

The Baker and Pascua rivers are located about 2,000 km south of the countrys capital, Santiago, in the Aysn
region. The Baker River originates as the natural discharge of the General Carrera - Bertrand lake system
(1,890 km) while the Pascua River originates as the natural discharge of the OHiggins - Chico lake system
(1,000 km).
Despite adverse climatic conditions and access difficulties, early exploration of the hydroelectric potential of
both rivers began in the 1940s. This was because their high discharge rates and narrow valleys offer ideal
conditions for installing hydropower plants. Between 1960 and the mid-1980s more than 10 river-gauging
stations were installed on both rivers and some tributaries. Several meteorological stations and lake-stage

stations at the General Carrera and OHiggins lakes were installed as well, rendering over 45 years of daily
registers. By 1975, topographical and geological surveys had been carried out for both rivers. The possible dam
locations on the Baker River were designated Baker 1 and Baker 2 (upstream to downstream). Similarly, dam
locations were designated Pascua 1 and Pascua 2 (later divided in two HPP: Pascua 2.1 and Pascua 2.2) on the
Pascua river.
At the General Carrera Lakes outflow, the Baker River has an annual average discharge of 570 m/s, which
grows to about 1,000 m/s along the 170 km length of the river due mainly to 8 tributary rivers. At the Baker 1
site, 35 km downstream of the lake, the annual average discharge is about 640 m/s, whereas at Baker 2 site (90
km from the lake) annual average discharge is estimated at 950 m/s. The rivers hydrological regime shows
maximum discharge in summer, due to melting ice and snow, but seasonal variations are included in the interval
35% of annual average discharge. Also, flood discharges are strongly regulated by the upstream lake. For
example, at the Baker 1 site, the 10-year flood is 1,720 m/s, which is less than 3 times the annual average
discharge. Similarly, at Baker 2, halfway downstream to the sea, the 10-year flood is 3,180 m/s, which is less
than 3.5 times the annual average discharge.
The rivers first 50 km are dominated by very narrow valleys and several rapids. The mean river slope in this
segment is 0.0035 m/m. This is the river stretch on which the first HPP (Baker 1) will be built. Further
downstream, the river opens into a wide valley and reduces its slope (0.00064 m/m) for about 40 km, including a
5 km segment that has a 0.001 m/m slope. This is where the second HPP is planned. In the final 80 km, the river
shows a mean slope of 0.00075 m/m with a braided riverbed. In general, the river flows in a southwest direction.

Fig. 1. Map of the Baker River basin and the sites identified for future hydro projects.
The hydrological regime of the Pascua River is very similar to that of the Baker River, as are most of its other
characteristics. A relevant difference is that it is only 60 km long and only has four tributary rivers. At the
Pascua 1 site, a few kilometers from the OHiggins Lakes outflow, the annual average discharge is about 620

m/s. It increases to about 690 m/s at the Pascua 2.2 site, 25 km downstream from Pascua 1, and reaches the sea
with a flow of approximately 800 m/s. Flood discharge is also naturally regulated by the upstream lake. At the
Pascua 2.2 site, the 10-year flood is 1,610 m/s, which is less than 2.5 times the annual average discharge.
In the first 30 km, the Pascua River flows northwards and shows high slopes (0.0055 m/m). Approximately at the
Pascua 2.2 site the river has a westbound turn and changes to a braided riverbed with a lower slope (0.0012
m/m).

Fig. 2. Map of the Pascua River basin and the sites identified for future hydro projects.
1.1

Project evolution

The first pre-feasibility studies were completed in 1975 and the power plants were designed to satisfy the energy
demand of the electrochemical and electrometallurgical industry to be installed in the region. At this stage the
project consisted of 4 HPP, two on each river. In both cases the reservoir area included the upstream lakes
mentioned before, in order to exploit the natural regulation capabilities of the lakes. In this scenario, the Project
involved a total reservoir area of about 3,190 km, total installed capacity of 2,660 MW and an estimated annual
energy production of 19,400 GWh. However, the decision to invest was postponed.
In the 1990s interest in exploiting the hydroelectric potential of the Baker and Pascua rivers was renewed. Thus,
in 1998, a second pre-feasibility design was completed. This new design involved supplying all the energy
production to the Central Interconnected Power Grid, which currently supplies energy to over 90% of the
Chilean population. Aside from this change, the main difference with the previous project was that the maximum
reservoir levels were established below the historical minimum levels of the General Carrera and OHiggins
lakes, in order to avoid influencing the natural level of the upstream lakes. The installed capacity of the four
HPPs was 2,760 MW, producing approximately 21,380 GWh-year.

The 2005 project introduced further net head reductions for both of the Baker HPPs. The maximum level of the
downstream HPP (Baker 2) was lowered by approximately 68 m, thus keeping the reservoir level below the main
agricultural valley of the region. For the upstream HPP (Baker 1), the maximum reservoir level was lowered ~9
m, so as to not interfere with tourist activities, such as fly-fishing, on the first 5 km of the river. In return, the
dam was moved a few kilometers downstream to gain additional head. In the Pascua River, dam locations
changed, so that the total reservoir area was reduced significantly by keeping the reservoir level below a nearby
glacial lake (Quiros Lake) without changing the total head. With this configuration the project had an installed
capacity of 2,430 MW and produced 18,090 GWh per year.
Between 2005 and 2008 the project underwent further changes, and as a result of a series of field studies,
technical analyses and environmental considerations, a new conceptual solution was achieved. Since the
potential effect on tourism and visual impact were found to be one of the main concerns of the local inhabitants
regarding the project, the Baker 1 HPP reservoir level was lowered an additional 15 m in order to preserve a
rapid that is considered one of the regions landmarks (Fig. 1). On the other hand, the Pascua 2 HPP was divided
in two HPPs following geological considerations, but conserving the exploitable head.

Fig. 3. Baker - Nef river rapids

Consequently, the final design of the project consists of 5 HPPs, two of which are located on the Baker River,
and three on the Pascua River. The overall capacity is 2,750 MW and the annual average energy production is
18,430 GWh. This solution involves a total reservoir area of only 59.1 km2, which makes the Aysn
Hydroelectric Project a highly efficient hydropower generation project in terms of installed capacity vs. total
reservoir area.
Key figures of the final design scheme are the resulting 47 MW/km2 installed capacity per reservoir area ratio, a
generation capacity per reservoir area ratio of 312 GWh-year/km2 and the reduction of over 80% of reservoir
area in comparison to the 1998 project (300 km2) as well as the fact that 19.9 km2 of the total reservoir area
corresponds to the rivers natural riverbed. Furthermore, this design scheme represents an additional reduction of
36.5% of reservoir area from the 2005 project, but only a 13.8% reduction of total annual energy production
(2,950 GWh-year) compared to the 1998 project.
Table 1 shows a summary of the project evolution, in terms of generation capacity and reservoir area. As
indicated, the most important reductions in flooded areas were made at the Baker 2 reservoir, and the overall
surface reduction amounts to more than 80% compared to the 1998 project.

In order to maintain the overall energy production of the project, the design flow rates have been increased as
total head has decreased.
Table 1. Project evolution over time: Reservoir areas (km) and installed capacity (MW)
HPP

1975

1998

2005

2008

Baker 1

1,910.0 km
390 MW

18.0 km
380 MW

23.0 km
680 MW

7.1 km
660 MW

Baker 2

258.0 km
920 MW

258.0 km
1,000 MW

56.0 km
360 MW

36.0 km
360 MW

1,025.0 km
1,000 MW

25.0 km
1,010 MW

5.0 km
450 MW

Pascua 1

Pascua 1

5.0 km
460 MW

Pascua 2.1

9.9 km
770 MW

Pascua 2.2

1.1 km
500 MW

1.3 km
350 MW

1.3 km
370 MW

9.0 km
940 MW

Total reservoir
area (km)

3,194.3

302.3

93.0

59.1

Total installed
capacity (MW)

2,660

2,760

2,430

2,750

0.8

26

47

19,400

21,380

18,090

18,430

Pascua 2

Installed capacity
per reservoir area
ratio (MW/km)
Total energy
production
(GWh-year)

1.2

Current project description

Table 2 shows a summary of the main features of the 5 Hydropower Plants in the current project status. With the
exception of Baker 2, the power plants have similar schemes. They consist of the intake structure, two short
headrace tunnels and vertical shafts, and the underground power station. The latter houses 2 vertical-axis Francis
turbines, as well as the generators and transformers. The tailrace tunnels are equipped with surge tanks and they
discharge to the rivers just downstream of the dam.
The Baker 2 intake structure is preceded by a conveyance channel and connects with two inclined steel-lined
concrete penstocks. The powerhouse is surface-based and contains two Kaplan turbines, the generators and
transformers. The turbines discharge into a basin that connects with the Baker River.
Table 2. Main Features of the Aysn Hydroelectric Project
Units
Maximum operating
level
Minimum operating
level
Reservoir area
Reservoir volume
Maximum fluctuation
Design discharge
Mean annual discharge
Installed capacity

m
m
2

km
hm3
m
m3/s
m3/s
MW

Baker 1

Baker 2

Pascua 1

Pascua 2.1

Pascua 2.2

200

93

266

200

101

198

91

264

198

99

7.1
173
<2
927
642
660

36.0
380
<2
1,275
948
360

5.0
192
<2
880
622
460

9.9
200
<2
980
689
770

1.1
25
<2
980
692
500

Annual generating
capacity
Dam type
Dam height
Dam volume
Conveyance channel
Individual headrace
tunnel length (2 tunnels)
Individual tailrace tunnel
length (2 tunnels)
Powerhouse type
Turbines

GWhyear

4,420

2,530

3,020

5,110

3,350

m
m
m

CFGD
105
2,400,000
-

Concrete
40
32,000
185

RCC
69
275,000
-

RCC
114
665,000
-

RCC
79
285,000
-

344

105

138

150

168

232

250

110

155

underground
Francis

surface
Kaplan

underground
Francis

underground
Francis

underground
Francis

As far as the operational scheme is concerned, the reservoirs are mainly destined to provide the hydraulic head.
Their storage capacity, especially those of the Pascua River power plants, is extremely low. Therefore, the
operation of the HPPs is based on keeping all the reservoirs at maximum level, lowering the level only during
peak hours and recovering the maximum afterwards, within 24-hour cycles. The minimum operation flow rate of
each power plant was established in order to ensure the use of the rivers, downstream from the dams for
activities such as navigation. These minimum operation flow rates are to be respected at all times. Thus,
fluctuations are expected to be between 0,5 and 2 m in the 5 reservoirs, as illustrated in Fig. 3 for the Baker 1
HPP, even considering restrictive hydrological conditions (85% exceedance probability flow rate).

85% EXC. PROB.

50% EXC. PROB

15% EXC. PROB.

Reservoir level (m)

205

200

195
hour
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
* Levels referred to geodetic datum WGS-84

Fig. 3. Reservoir fluctuation at Baker 1 due to affluent discharge rates with different exceedance probability
(15%, 50% and 85%)
The power plants of the Aysn Hydroelectric Project will be connected through a 500 kV AC powerline. The
powerline from Pascua will merge with the Baker 2 powerline at a Substation named Los adis. From there, the
powerline will continue northwards, totaling 177 km as it reaches an AC/DC converter station located near the
Baker 1 HPP. Baker 1 will have its own 1.5 km powerline connecting to the converter station. From the AC/DC
converter station, a 2,000 km long high voltage, direct current (HVDC) transmission line will connect the PHA
with Chiles Central Interconnected Power Grid.

The construction of the HPPs on the Baker River will be powered mainly by a run-of-river power plant located
on the Del Salto River, one of the Bakers tributaries. A natural elevation drop that originates an 85 m waterfall
in the river will be used to produce up to 14 MW.
In order to ensure the construction of the 5 power plants, regional infrastructure will have to be improved. The
road network will be adapted to the travel frequency and size of the construction vehicles, as well as personnel
transport. Two ports in the region will be modernized to unload construction material such as cement, steel
reinforcement bars, fuel, construction equipment and the hydro-mechanical equipment for the power plants. The
project also includes a landfill to adequately dispose of waste generated by the construction and operation of the
power plants.
Workers will be housed in self-sufficient construction camps near the construction sites. The facilities will
include health care and entertainment services, to avoid impacts on the public services and population of nearby
towns.
The construction stage of the Aysn Hydroelectric Project is set to begin upon the environmental approval of the
project by the Chilean authorities, and it is estimated to span a period of 11.5 years.
The construction of the project will begin with the Baker 1 HPP, scheduled to be completed by year 5, and work
will begin on a new HPP roughly every two years, on a sequence that implies building the Pascua 2.2 HPP,
Pascua 2.1 HPP, Pascua 1 HPP and finally Baker 2 HPP, estimating that they will be in operation by years 7, 9,
11 and 12 respectively.

Sustainable development approach and Design for mitigation

2.1

Environmental criteria used in the project design

When work on the Aysn Hydropower Project was resumed in 2004, the company chose to include the concept
of Design for mitigation as one of the design criteria to be applied in every aspect of project development. This
means that starting at a very early stage of the current project, modern environmental protection and impact
mitigation concepts were imbedded into the project scheme.
By making the characteristics of the project known to the national community at an early stage, both at a local
and regional level, it was possible to gather views, opinions and concerns of stakeholders that have subsequently
been included in the project scheme. This means that the engineering studies of the PHA have considered early
detection of environmental impacts, and determined project adjustments that allowed for the reduction of
potentially harmful effects on the environment on a broad range of issues.
This approach has allowed for impact mitigation, not only through typical impact mitigation measures and
plans, but also by reducing and avoiding impacts by way of the projects design. Two relevant examples of this
are the following:
i) As a result of reservoir area reduction, the reallocation of families has been reduced to 14 families.
This fact, along with the implementation of self-sufficient camps, located near the job sites and away from
neighboring towns, means both the reduction and mitigation of potential social impacts.
ii) Understanding that one of the main effects on the environment regarding the project has to do with
the effects on the Baker and Pascua Rivers, self imposed operational guidelines have been established for each of
the HPPs, in order to minimize effects on the river basins, both upstream and downstream. By setting minimum
operational discharge levels that exceed mandatory levels set by Chilean law, establishing maximum reservoir
level fluctuations under 2 m, and by restituting water flow at the foot of each dam through short tailrace tunnels
and/or by spillway discharge, potential impacts commonly related to hydropower projects have been mitigated.
The following are some of the main criteria used in the Design for mitigation approach:

Develop a highly efficient project, looking to reduce reservoir area while achieving the highest possible
level of energy generation.
Preservation of the natural levels of the upstream General Carrera Bertrand and OHiggins Chico
lake systems.

Self imposed operation guidelines based on low reservoir fluctuation and high operational discharge
rates ( 40% of the rivers annual average flow rates), which help ensure low impact both upstream and
downstream of the Baker HPPs.
Preservation of the natural flow conditions of tourist attractions (rapids) as well as flat lands located
upstream of the HPP.
Restitution of water flow at the foot of each HPP through short tailrace tunnels and/or spillway
discharge.
Minimizing visual impact on landscape, through underground designs and the inclusion of visual effect
criteria in the selection of power line routes.
A zero impact approach regarding glaciers located near the project.
Settling of construction camps away from populated areas. Based on a design concept that promotes
self-contained units that will minimize potential impacts on the local population.

Summary of field work and other engineering studies

3.1

Hydrological, Geological and Topographic background

Data of daily flow rates for both the Baker and Pascua Rivers have been collected in river and lake gauging
stations (installed by the Project and currently operated by the National Water Commission) over a period of
more than 45 years. The same applies to meteorological information regarding temperature, rain and snowfall.
The extent of statistical data vary from one station to another, but statistical analyses to determine affluent flow
rates and flood rates for different return periods (Tr) show high levels of consistency with regard to field
measurements and modeling results.
Geological and geotechnical studies have entailed drilling over 9.000 m in over 100 boreholes at the proposed
sites.
Large scale topographic works related to the PHA were conducted using aircraft mounted laser and LIDAR
(Light Detection and Ranging) technology. Verification was done through standard surveying methods.
Specifically, the entire project area was surveyed at a 1:20,000 scale (3,140 km2). All reservoir and surrounding
areas were surveyed at a 1:5,000 scale (877 km2) and the HPP sites at a 1:1,000 scale (680 km2). Bathymetric
profiles were also measured at a series of river cross sections (over 250).
3.2

Engineering studies

Using the current project scheme (5 HPPs, 2,750 MW, 18,430 GWh-year) as the starting point, as of 2007, the
Chilean engineering company Ingendesa (owned by ENDESA of Spain) has lead the development of the basic
engineering plans for the Baker 1 and Pascua 2.2 HPPs, as well as the basic engineering of all the infrastructure
requirements (roads, construction camps, housing, ports, medical centre, etc.) and the 500 kV AC powerline that
will connect the HPPs to the AC/DC converter station.
This same company led the development of all prior engineering studies related with the Aysn Hydropower
Project.
3.3

Physical modeling of diversion works

The Baker and Pascua rivers narrow valleys, steep slopes and large streamflows make the diversion works a
challenging task. Accordingly, two scaled physical hydraulic models (1:70 for the Baker River and 1:60 for the
Pascua River) were built at the Hydraulic Laboratory of the Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile to test
different methods for cofferdam construction. In this study, investigations were made with a combination of
concrete precast elements such as cubes, tetracubes and tetrapods in combination with earth and rock fills to
produce a semi-impervious embankment. Experimental work in the physical models concluded that the final
adopted solution is to use 30 ton tetrapods and earth and rockfill to ensure impermeability of the upstream
cofferdams.

Studies have also been done to test the operation of Baker 1s bottom outlet and spillway, and to determine
modifications in the entrance channel of the Pascua 2.2s diversion tunnels.

Conclusions

The Aysn Hydroelectric Project involves the construction of 5 Hydroelectric Power Plants (HPP) in the Baker
and Pascua rivers in the southernmost part of Chile, and will have a total installed power capacity of 2,750 MW
and a total annual generating output of 18,430 GWh that will be conducted to central Chile through 2,000 km,
500 kV HVDC transmission line.
The inclusion of the concept Design for mitigation in the Projects engineering scheme, has allowed for
important engineering adjustments that favor the reduction and early mitigation of potentially harmful effects on
the environment.
The Authors
Bernardo Canales studied Mechanical Civil Engineering at the Universidad de Chile, followed by Graduate Studies in
Economics at the Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile. He has over 14 years of experience in energy projects and
engineering, and in directing and managing energy companies (electricity generation and natural gas processing). He is
currently the Chief Technical Officer of the Aysn Hydroelectric Project (Hidroaysn). He has lectured on subjects such as
Resistance of Materials, Machinery Lab and Computer Assisted Design.
Daniel Roth has a degree in Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile, specializing in construction
and project planning, and a Masters degree in Business and Administration awarded by the same University. He has worked
on highway and subway construction projects in Chile and, as of July of 2007, is working as project engineer on the
development and planning of the Aysn Hydroelectric Project.
Ricardo Gonzlez has a degree in Civil Engineering from the Universidad de Chile specializing in Hydraulics, Sanitary and
Environmental aspects and a Master of Science in Water Resources and Environment. He has worked both in the public and
private sector in hydrology studies and has done project research at the Civil Engineering Department of the Universidad de
Chile in subjects related to hydrology and water resources management. He is currently a project engineer for the Aysn
Hydroelectric Project.
Bettina Jahn has a degree in Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile, specializing in Hydraulic
Engineering and a Master of Science in Groundwater and Solute Transport awarded by the same university. She has worked
in groundwater modeling and is currently participating as project engineer in the design of the Aysn Hydroelectric Project.