The developers of a $3.2 billion hydroelectric project in Chile’s pristine south on Wednesday called for a nine-month period to address queries over an environmental impact study.

The HidroAysen project, named for the verdant region it would inhabit, would involve building five hydroelectric plants to harness the power of two of Chile’s most abundant rivers and has been the subject of harsh criticism by environmentalists.

The project, a joint venture between locally owned Colbun COL.SN and Endesa Chile END.SN, a unit controlled by Endesa Spain (ELE.MC: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), is intended to pump energy into the country’s stretched power grid.

“The company wants to reply fully to environmental queries,” HidroAysen said in a statement. “HidroAysen today asked for a space of nine months to reply to environmental observations.

It sought the nine-month period from the regional environmental agency.

Por Mónica Vargas, Reuters.