DAAD Scholarship PhD Project | DAAD

During the last decade, Chile has faced a mega-drought (MD) with mean rainfall deficits of 20-40% that has led to a decrease in stream flows of basins and in the water stored in large dams of the country, being at historic lows. The MD, combined with the excessive granting of water rights and overexploitation, has led to a massive water crisis. Due to intense water scarcity, the State has addressed this problem with measures to increase water availability, mainly through investment in water infrastructure such as large dams and desalination plants. Large dams have been symbols of development and modernity over time. However, since 1980 the debate has been marked by its adverse effects and impacts, and with it the emergence of resistance and opposition movements. Nevertheless, there has been a new resurgence as they have been promoted as solutions to climate change and energy demand. Although large dams are promoted from a technical perspective, it is argued that they constitute tools for capital accumulation and to sustain power and social relations of control over water. Moreover, they deepen socio-environmental tensions arising from the unequal distribution of water rights. In this context, it remains to be seen how a large dam becomes a solution to water scarcity and what factors and interests have influenced decision making of large dams in Chile. To do so, a comparative case study will be conducted using the concept of technological hydroscapes, which "frame the socio-hydrological nature of dam building". This research aims to analyse the implementation of large dams and their implications in the reconfiguration of Petorca and Alto El Loa hydroscapes.

PhD: Javiera Machuca
Funding: DAAD
Duration: 2019-2025