The renovation in the hydroelectric complex implies the replacement of 14 turbines, without stopping the production of electrical energy.
A group of leaders of the Executive power Headed by the Secretary of the Presidency, Alvaro Delgadopresented today the government plans for the second phase of the modernization project of the Salto Grande damwhich will imply the replacement of 14 turbines –one per year– for an amount of 150 million dollarswithout stopping the production of electrical energy.
The objective of the initiative is to extend another 40 years the useful life of the main dam in the country, in a renovation plan that includes three stages, and will total $1 billionmade up of contributions from the governments of Argentina and Uruguay, and the financing of Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
In this second phase, the hydromechanical systems of the spillway and the power house, and the hoisting system will also be renewed, as well as the modernization of the mechanical and electrical auxiliary systems, the control systems, and the change of the main transformers.
Delgado pointed out that the modernization of the company will require the most important investment in the history of Uruguay in energy matters, in a plan “with long lights” that ensures the “future” and “stability”, in addition to being “a bet”. to regional integration.
Up to 50% of the energy consumed by Uruguay comes from Salto Grande
The president of joint venture, Silvia Emaldiassured that the state company has in Salto Grande “a strategic partner for the country”, and recalled that between 30% and 50% of the energy that Uruguay consumes comes from there.
According to the hierarch, this new modernization project is in line with the pillars of the World Energy Councilwhich are energy security and environmental sustainability.
Carlos Albisu, Uruguayan representative before the Salto Grande Mixed Technical Commission, explained that national and international companies will work in this second stage. Currently, some 200 people are carrying out tasks in the project, and it is expected to reach some 800 during the process to be developed between 2023 and 2029.
Source: Ambito
