Estudio de percepción sobre impactos socioambientales de la Hidroeléctrica Agoyán en el cantón Baños de Agua Santa

Abstract

Abstract: Hydroelectric energy is the most widely used and produced energy; however, its construction and operation cause irreversible damage to the environment, which leads to effects on the physical and emotional health of the population. That said, the present investigation was developed with the objective of determining the socio-environmental perceptions that the inhabitants of Baños have regarding the Agoyán hydroelectric plant. As a methodology, an exploratory research with a quantitative approach was used, whose measurement instrument was the survey and, through the SPSS statistical software, the reliability of the instrument will be determined through Cronbach's Alpha.The results indicated that, as positive impacts, the increase in public lighting, employment generation, remodeling of the Ulba central park stand out,and within the negative impacts, the displacement of the local population from their homes, air, water,and noise pollution.Finally, the research concludes by stating that, although it is true, the Agoyán hydroelectric plant has generated a socioeconomic and cultural change in the population of Baños, this change is minimal, compared to the socio-environmental impacts it has generated.