| Abstract |
Social interaction between the developer and local villagers, local governments, public and private agencies, is of high importance in order to reach a better understanding, planning and addressing of the complex interactions that exist between the parties involved in the development of a geothermal project. Geothermal exploration in Ecuador began in 1979 and the most remarkable milestones happened between 2008 and 2019. Nonetheless, within this timeframe, technical and financial aspects were highly prioritized by the government over the social outcome in the geothermal projects selected for further development. Consequently, the perception and the level of acceptance of the communities surrounding the geothermal areas of interest have not yet been fully understood. The objective of the study was to properly identify and analyze the relationship that exists between the stakeholders and the National geothermal developer of the Chachimbiro geothermal project in the Province of Imbabura. It is the country´s pioneer geothermal initiative since 2015 with a potential of 50 MWe that was estimated after the completion of drilling operations in the first and only deep well. The document summarizes ten main metrics, obtained through the use of mapping methodologies under two different perspectives: objective and subjective. Social polls with the representatives of public and private agencies were used to scout the level of perception toward key subjects such as energy related benefits, social acceptance, environmental concerns, among others. Results showed there are 26 stakeholders interested in the development of the project: 46% of them have a decision at the national level, 35% at the cantonal level, 12% at the foreign level and 8% at the provincial level. It also reveals that 58% of stakeholders would have economic interests, 15% technical, 15% social and 12% environmental. In addition, the local community is in favor of the development of renewable energy initiatives and mitigation of climate change; local farmers who knew about geothermal energy associated the resource to the heat from the earth, viewed the drilling of the deep well as positive and believe that it will have an important effect for them in the next 20 years. The primary source of information was identified to come from the project developer. This confirms that this stakeholder had a close relationship with the communities during the project development and provided relevant information regarding the reconnaissance phase. This had a positive effect in the level of knowledge in geothermal energy within the surrounding area. The study concludes no social barrier was perceived and that the methodology allowed the researchers to obtain several points of view that were not previously analyzed by project developers, which can contribute to improve planning and execution of future activities. Final remarks highlight the importance of actively engaging with the community to greatly reduce the risks of having potential conflicts that may delay or compromise the development of geothermal resources in a particular location. |