Ralco Hydroelectric Plant, Hydroelectric power station in Alto Biobío, Chile

Ralco Hydroelectric Plant is a hydroelectric power station and dam on the upper Bío Bío River in the Bío Bío Region of Chile. The plant uses water from the river to generate 690 megawatts of electricity, and its dam is a concrete gravity structure with a stepped spillway and red metal gates.

The plant was built by ENDESA and began operating in 2004 after six years of construction. The project faced strong opposition from Pehuenche communities and environmental groups, leading to legal battles and a landmark agreement in 2003.

The construction of the dam flooded land that was important to the Pehuenche communities, including a cemetery, and this loss is still remembered by local people. Today, the reservoir covers areas that were once used for traditional practices, and the story of the dam is part of the ongoing conversation about land and identity in the region.

The plant is in a remote area, so visitors should plan their trip carefully and check access conditions in advance. The dam and reservoir can be seen from public roads, but there are no formal visitor facilities, so it is best to go with a local guide.

The dam's reservoir flooded a Pehuenche cemetery, a fact that is often overlooked when people talk about the plant's impact. The controversy surrounding the dam also led to the creation of the Alto Biobío commune, where no new dams can be built on indigenous land.