Xacbal Dam
The Xacbal Dam (Spanish: Planta Hidroeléctrica Xacbal) is a reinforced concrete gravity dam and power plant spanning the Xacbal River in the municipality of Chajul, Guatemala.
| Xacbal Dam | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Planta Hidroeléctrica Xacbal |
| Location | Chajul (El Quiché) |
| Coordinates | 15°37′22″N 91°05′04″W |
| Construction began | April 2007 |
| Opening date | August 2010 |
| Construction cost | US$ 250 million |
| Operator(s) | Hidro Xacbal, S.A. |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Xacbal River |
| Height | 10.35 m |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 700,000 m³ |
A 10.35 m high dam diverts the river's water flow to a sand filter and on through an open conduction channel to a daily regulation reservoir located outside the river channel. A 4.7 km conduction tunnel with a diameter of 4.65 m, directs the water through a 615 m long pressure pipe (diameter 3.55 m) to the power house. The water is diverted back to the Xacbal river channel.[1]
The plant has 2 x 47 MW Francis vertical axis turbines with an installed capacity of 94 MW. A 120 km transmission line was built to connect the power plant to the national grid. Annual power production is estimated at 486 GWh.[1][2]
References
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- "proyecto Hidro Xacbal - Capacidad instalada". terra.hn. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
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- "Central Hidroeléctrica Xacbal, Chajul - Guatemala, 94 MW". electricamatamoros.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.