3 February Hydroelectric Dam Explained

3 February Hydroelectric Dam
Coordinates:13.8627°N -88.351°W
Country:El Salvador
Location:San Luis de la Reina
Status:Operational
Construction Began:2008
Opening:19 October 2023
Cost:US$800 million
Builder:Astaldi
Owner:Government of El Salvador
Dam Crosses:Torola River
Plant Capacity:67 MW

The 3 February Hydroelectric Dam (Spanish; Castilian: Central Hidroeléctrica 3 de Febrero), also known as El Chaparral,[1] is a dam and hydroelectric power plant located in San Luis de la Reina, San Miguel, El Salvador.

History

In 1998, the Salvadoran government initiated surveys to construct the dam and hydroelectric power plant. Construction began in 2008, and the Italian company Astaldi was contracted to built the dam. Construction was suspended in 2010 when Astaldi stated that there were problems at the location where the dam was being built. In 2020, the Salvadoran government presented evidence against former President Mauricio Funes and other government officials accusing them of money laundering and embezzlement regarding the construction project.[2]

Construction resumed in August 2019 during presidency of Nayib Bukele, who had previously described the project as "monument to corruption" ("Spanish; Castilian: monumento a la corrupción"). In August 2020, Bukele announced that the dam would be renamed from the El Chaparral Dam to the 3 February Dam, in reference to 3 February 2019, the date that Bukele was elected as president of El Salvador.[3] Construction was completed in October 2022.[4]

On 19 October 2023, Bukele inaugurated the dam and power plant. Bukele explained that the inauguration was delayed to allow the reservoir to be filled with water. During the inauguration, Bukele stated that the dam would reduce electricity prices by 14 percent.[5]

Specifications

The dam's power plant has an installed capacity of 67 megawatts. It cost US$800 million to build.

Environmental impact

Environmentalists have warned that the dam's construction could endanger more than 60 species living near the project.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bukele Inaugura la Central Hidroeléctrica "3 de Febrero", Conocida como El Chaparral. Bukele Inaugurates the "3 February" Hydroelectric Center, Known as El Chaparral. es. 19 October 2023. 20 October 2023. El Diario de Hoy. R.. Tejada.
  2. Web site: Nayib Bukele Inaugura la Central Hidroeléctrica 3 de Febrero en San Miguel. Nayib Bukele Inaugurates the 3 February Hydroelectric Center in San Miguel. es. 19 October 2023. 20 October 2023. El Mundo. Jaqueline. Villeda. Diego. Guevara.
  3. Web site: Bukele Renombra a El Chaparral como Central Hidroeléctrica 3 de Febrero. Bukele Renames El Chaparral as the 3 February Hydroelectric Dam. es. 7 August 2020. 21 October 2023. El Mundo. Uveli. Alemán.
  4. Web site: Bukele Anuncia Baja en el Precio de la Energía en Inauguración de Hidroeléctrica. Bukele Announces Lower Energy Prices at Hydroelectric Inauguration. es. 20 October 2023. 20 October 2023. El Mundo. Diego. Guevara. Jaqueline. Villeda.
  5. Web site: Bukele Enviará un Proyecto a la Asamblea para Bajar el Precio de la Tarifa Eléctrica. Bukele Will Send a Project to the Assembly to Lower the Price of the Electricity Bill. es. 19 October 2023. 20 October 2023. El Mundo. Diego. Guevara.
  6. Web site: El Embalse de El Chaparral Amenaza a Más de 60 Especies. The El Chaparral Dam Threatens More than 60 Species. es. 26 June 2022. 20 October 2023. El Diario de Hoy. Yessica. Hompanera.

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