The Chivilingo plant [history]

This article discusses the Chivilingo hydroelectric generating plant, the first hydroelectric plant in the Republic of Chile and only the second in all of South America. By demonstrating the benefits of hydroelectric power to a nation having abundant hydro resources, Chivilingo helped set Chile on a course that has resulted in today´s modern and comprehensive interconnected electric system being hydroelectric power based. Chivilingo also represented the first instance of leadership by Chilean engineers and technicians in the electrification of South America. Over the years, Chile has remained a leader in the entire region in electrical development and the expansion of hydroelectric resources.