Insonmia Cant Breathe

Machu Picchu

In the province of Urubamba, department of Cusco. Generates energy from the waters of the Urubamba River (called Vilcanota in the area). It was inaugurated in 1955, with a Francis turbine of 20 megawatts (MW), which in 1963 he joined another similar. Then in 1985 he installed three Pelton turbines of 22.4 MW each, increasing its power to 107 MW.
The water accumulated in a water inlet, travels through a conveyance tunnel 3.3 kilometers long, and then falls to the central two penstocks, from a height of 365 meters.
In February 1998, the plant was buried by an avalanche, which left inoperative until 2001, when it was partially restored with three Pelton turbines generating 30 MW each, with a total of 90 MW.
currently being expanded with an investment of U.S. $ 148 million to produce, from July 2012, 100 MW. Thus, its power will total 192 MW.



Moreover, within its Phase II will be constructed adjacent to the present, a new powerhouse, fueled by a new penstock, parallel to the two current. There will install a Francis type turbine of 99 MW vertical axis. Thus, Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Complex generate a total of 300 MW. And given that evaluates improvements to generate 50 MW, total capacity could reach 350 MW.
The works are being executed by the company Grana y Montero. The plant belongs to the State Electricity Generation Company of Machu Picchu (EGEMSA).

Photo: EGEMSA