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Portuguese to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Energy / Power Generation
Portuguese term or phrase:estanqueidade
This is from a text broadly describing the current Chilean electricity market:
"De acordo com informações obtidas pelo Systep, a complexa situação que enfrenta o sistema de eletricidade do país é caracterizada principalmente pela seca na região sul-central, pelo aumento dos preços internacionais de combustíveis e pela estanqueidade do sistema elétrico."
Is this a figurative use of the word "estanqueidade"? It doesn't seem plausible that it is a literal use, since the "watertightness" of the system doesn't seem correct (i.e. something that could be a problem to the country's electricity system).
Any explanations, in English or in Portuguese, would be greatly appreciated.
I appreciate the excellent feedback from everyone. It appears that my source text had misused the word, which is why this answer ultimately eld me in the right direction. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
"a estanqueidade do sistema elétrico" probably has to do with the fact that the whole electrical system is owned by foreign corporations - which may not be too attentive to Chilean ideas/intentions etc. thus it would be "impenetrable. "
National Energy Grid of Argentina - National Electricity Transmission ... www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/...grid/argentina/index.s... Jun 28, 2007 – The InterAndes Transmission Line links an Argentine power station to Chile's northern electric grid. A connection to Brazil has been used more ...
If my suggestion is correct, i.e. the lack of cross-border connections between national grids, then the word estanquidade is used correctly to mean "closed to the exterior".
Estancamento refere-se à "acção ou ao efeito de estancar" (ex.: a pressão ajudou ao estancamento do sangue), enquanto estanquidade e estanqueidade se referem à "qualidade do que é estanque" (ex.: exigiu a estanquidade da canalização).
So, the author of the source text apparently used the wrong word. :o)
In the period 1970-73, Salvador Allende’s government had undertaken a process of nationalization of many large companies, including utilities and banks. By 1974, inflation, high fuel prices and price controls had led to large losses and lack of investment in electric utilities, which were then under public ownership. The subsequent military dictatorship decided to reorganize the sector through the introduction of economic discipline. It returned large stated owned companies, such as electricity ones, to their previous owners, an action that was followed by improving rates of return on capital. In addition, the 1985 reform of the Chilean pension fund system, which operated through Pension Fund Management Companies (AFPs), preceded the privatization of utilities, which began in 1986. By the end of the 1990s, foreign firms had gained majority ownership of the Chilean electricity system.[5]
The electricity sector in Chile relies predominantly on thermal and hydro power generation.[1] Faced with natural gas shortages, Chile began in 2007 to build its first liquefied natural gas terminal and re-gasification plant at Quintero near the capital city of Santiago to secure supply for its existing and upcoming gas-fired thermal plants.[3] In addition, it has engaged in the construction of several new hydropower and coal-fired thermal plants.
Chile’s electricity sector reform, which served as a model for other countries, was carried out in the first half of the 1980s. Vertical and horizontal unbundling of generation, transmission and distribution and large scale privatization led to soaring private investment. The 1982 Electricity Act was amended three times in 1999, 2004 and 2005 after major electricity shortages. Further amendments are envisaged.
Does it perhaps mean that there are no links between the Chilean grid and the grids of neighbouring countries, so that electricity cannot be imported?
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Answers
4 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +3
obsolescence
Explanation: I'm thinking of the verb "estancar" here, meaning that the system is "stuck", i.e., hasn't been renovated for a long time.
Daniel Frisano Italy Local time: 19:20 Works in field Native speaker of: Italian PRO pts in category: 15
Grading comment
I appreciate the excellent feedback from everyone. It appears that my source text had misused the word, which is why this answer ultimately eld me in the right direction.
peer agreement (net): +3