ASTEC
 

HYDROELECTRIC INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM OF ZAMORA RIVER

Power: 1200 MW
Level of the Study: Feasibility
Location: Zamora River - Prov. of Zamora
Date Consultancy began: Stage one: June 1986 Second Stage: April 1990
Date Consultancy ended: Stage one: June 1988 Second Stage: August 1992
Total Contract Amount: USD $2,018,742
Name of associated firms: ELECTROCONSULT (Italy), TRACTIONEL (Belgium), RODIO (Italy) and ASTEC-INELIN-INGECONSULT-CAMINOS AND CANALES
Customer: Ecuadorian Institute of Electrification (INECEL)
Description

The Zamora River basin is in southeastern Ecuador, in the province of Zamora Chinchipe. Its land area of 10,000 km2, has an annual average precipitation of 3000 mm, resulting in an average flow rate in the river of 667 m3/sec.

ASTEC, along with the other consulting firms that took part in the association, identified 22 sites in the Zamora River basin for possible hydroelectric generation projects, studying 46 projects with a continual usable power of 2460 MW.
Subsequently the site known as G-11 was chosen for a more advanced study. The advanced prefeasibility study included the following studies: topography, hydrology and sedimentology, environmental impacts, geology, methodology and design criteria, energy (Gualaquiza dam), construction costs, analysis of the country’s energy market, economic evaluation, and construction programs and methods.
Main Characteristics of the Project
  • Height of the Dam: 157 m
  • Volume of the Reservoir (usable): 577 Hm3
    • Number 6
    • Diameter: Variable from 7.70 to 6.5 m
    • Length: Variable from 356 to 580 m
    • Design flow rate: 172.3 m3/s (each)
  •  Powerhouse
    • Underground type
    •  Net head: 143 m
    •  Installed power: 1200 MW
    •  Number of groups: 6 Francis

ASTEC @ 2009