Abstract

NAVA-TABLADA, Blanca Inés; NAVA-TABLADA, Martha Elena  and  LEON-ESTRADA, Xóchitl del Alba. Perception of institutional and academic participants concerning mini hydroelectric plants in Veracruz, Mexico. Cultura representaciones soc [online]. 2021, vol.16, n.31, 00007.  Epub Apr 21, 2021. ISSN 2007-8110.

Environmental perception is the way in which individuals conceive of their natural environment and is important for designing sustainable public policies. In Mexico, mini hydroelectric projects are an energy alternative with low environmental impact, but there is little research concerning the perception of participants, regarding the limited progress in their implementation. Studies have focused on the perception of affected communities and little has been explored from the perspective of institutional and academic participants, despite the fact that they influence the laws and policies that regulate mini-hydroelectric plants. This study aimed to analyze the perception of participants who work in government institutions, non-governmental organizations, environmental consultancies and academic establishments, on the factors that limit the installation of mini-hydroelectric plants, along the rivers of Veracruz. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were applied to key informants, concurring that the main limitations, in order of importance, consist of social, institutional, economic and environmental factors. We conclude that there is very low expectation in terms of the future of mini hydroelectric plants in Veracruz, owing to the difficulty of correcting problems in their design and implementation, as well as the social opposition that they generate in affected communities.

Keywords : environmental perception; mini hydroelectric plants; institutional participants; alternative energy; socio-environmental impact.