Spotlight |
hydroelectric generators in South America
Top five
South America is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world for hydropower development, with a total installed capacity of 177GW in 2021, and 275GW of untapped potential. IWP&DC profiles the top five hydroelectric generating countries in the region
on the border between the two countries, along the Paraná River. In May 2022, it was announced that the largest technological upgrade of the hydropower plant since its inauguration was to be carried out by a consortium led by GE Renewable Energy’s hydropower business. The upgrade includes equipment and systems of all 20 power generating units as well as the improvement of the hydropower plant’s measurement, protection, control, regulation and monitoring systems. In mid-July 2022, The National Electric Energy Agency - ANEEL and the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency - ANA approved a new joint resolution regarding the installation, operation and maintenance of hydrological stations and updating of Quota x Area x Volume curves in hydroelectric plants in the country, with the rule replacing the Joint
Above: Sogamoso dam in Colombia. Source: Motero Colombia, Wikimedia Commons
1.Brazil -109.4GW With 190,446MW of installed hydropower capacity,
Below: Guri Dam (Central Hidroelectrica Simon Bolivar), in southern Venezuela
Brazil is the top hydropower producer in South America, and the second highest producer in the world, after China. In 2021, the country was ranked 10th in the world for adding new capacity that year, with an additional 175MW placed online. During 2021, the country suffered its worst ever drought for 91 years in 2021, causing it to introduce “water scarcity” electrical rate and increasing its energy imports from Argentina and Uruguay. The country is home to the 14GW Itaipu
hydroelectric project, which it jointly owns with Paraguay. Itaipu, which was opened in 1984, is located
Resolution ANA ANEEL n°¯ 3/2010 from January 2023. The amendments feature enhancements related
to changes in legislation, including increasing the power limit from 1MW to 5MW for hydroelectric projects exempt from concession or authorization for hydroelectric use. Plants from 1MW to 5MW without a concession contract or authorization will be inspected by ANA, while those above 5MW or with a concession will remain under the supervision of ANEEL.
2 Venezuela – 15.4GW Venezuela, with an installed hydropower capacity
of 15,393MW last year, is the second biggest hydropower producing country in South America, and the 16th highest producer in the world. Hydropower generation in Venezuela is centred on
the Caroní River in the Guayana Region, which hosts four different hydroelectric projects including the 10.2GW Guri hydroelectric plant, the 2.16GW Caruachi hydro project, and the 3.16GW hydroelectric plants at the Macagua Dam.
3. Colombia – 12GW Colombia is the third biggest producer of hydropower
in South America, with an installed capacity of 11,945MW in 2021, although it was reported in July that following completion of small hydropower projects in the country this year, the capacity has now topped 12GW.
Some of the country’s major hydropower facilities include the 1240MW San Carlos hydropower plant and the 1150MW Guavio plant, the 1074MW Chivor,
8 | August 2022 |
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