EVALUATION OF THE CUMULATIVE SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF THE PATUCA II HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT

Abstract

"This research comprehensively analyzes the complex network of socio-environmental impacts resulting from the operation of the Patuca III Hydroelectric Power Plant, a large-scale project that has drastically transformed the territorial dynamics in the department of Olancho. The problem is rooted in a critical gap between national energy infrastructure development and the protection of local communities' rights, revealing a management approach that has prioritized power production over socio-environmental sustainability. The study followed a mixed-methods approach, allowing for a rigorous triangulation between the technical evaluation of the reservoir's physicochemical and biological parameters and the collection of public perceptions in the areas of greatest influence. The results reveal a systemic degradation of the aquatic ecosystem, manifested through eutrophication processes and the accumulation of pollutants that threaten biodiversity and the security of fishery resources. Simultaneously, the social analysis exposes a significant decline in the inhabitants' quality of life, marked by population displacement, loss of access to traditional livelihoods, and a widespread sense of institutional abandonment. This situation highlights a contradiction with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as progress toward energy targets has not guaranteed social equity or the protection of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The study concludes that insufficient prior consultation mechanisms and weak oversight of social investment plans have led to a governance crisis and community mistrust. Finally, the research proposes a reconfiguration of project management, suggesting the implementation of a participatory governance and continuous monitoring model that integrates local voices into decision-making to ensure environmental justice and the project's long-term viability."