Afobaka Dam Explained

Afobaka Dam
Location Map:Suriname
Coordinates:4.9822°N -54.9923°W
Country:Suriname
Location:Afobaka, Brokopondo District
Purpose:Power
Status:O
Construction Began:1961
Dam Type:Embankment with gravity dam main section
Dam Length:1913m (6,276feet)
Dam Height:54m (177feet)
Res Name:Brokopondo Reservoir
Res Capacity Total:20000000000m2
Res Catchment:12200km2
Res Surface:1560km2
Plant Name:Brokopondo Krachtcentrale
Plant Operator:Suriname Aluminum Company LLC
Plant Commission:1965
Plant Turbines:6 x 30 MW Kaplan-type
Plant Capacity:180 MW

The Afobaka Dam is an embankment dam with a main gravity dam section on the Suriname River near Afobaka in Brokopondo District of Suriname. The primary purpose of the dam is to generate hydroelectric power and it supports a 180 MW power station. In 1958, Suriname Aluminum Company LLC, a subsidiary of Alcoa, gained an agreement with the Suriname government to build the dam to power an aluminium smelter.[1] Construction began in 1961 and it was completed in 1964. About 75% of power generated is used for processing aluminum, the rest is used in Paramaribo downstream. The power station was operational in 1965 but the very large reservoir, Brokopondo Reservoir, was not completely filled until 1971. Greenhouse gases emitted from the reservoir resulted in poor water quality for decades. Highly acidic water also damaged the power station's turbines.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alcoa in Suriname. Alcoa. 31 March 2014.
  2. Web site: Hydroelectric Plants in French Guiana & Suriname. IndustCards. 31 March 2014.