The work of the century
The history of Enel Generación El Chocón began in 1967 searching for a solution to the problems caused by the rising waters of the Limay and Neuquén tributaries to the population and productive areas from Alto Valle and Valle Medio in the Argentinean Patagonia.
In the late 1968s, the first construction site building, camp, and access facilities began to be built. In May 1972, the filling of the reservoir began and, finally, the first unit of the business venture became operational on December, 22nd 1972 and it concluded in 1977, when the the sixth generator of the plant was enabled.
In turn, and in order to optimize the use of the water resource, in 1976 the construction of the "Arroyito" compensation reservoir began, and it was located downstream from "El Chocón". This work, which fulfilled its mitigation role (by unloading through the holes in the dump until 1982), began to work commercially between 1983 (its first turbogenerator) and 1984 (third and last turbogenerator).
The record of this complex marks a landmark when in August 1993, El Chocón S.A. hydroelectric company was granted via a National Government bidding process, the concession of the "El Chocón" and "Arroyito" hydroelectric plants for 30 years. In this way, a new journey began, evolving in this magnificent work, overcoming diverse difficulties through adequate planning, organization, and control of the work.
