Central and South America | US$60 million and completion date in 2024.


According to the country’s National Interconnected System Financial Operation Committee, Peru will add 650MW of hydropower in 2023. While in Panama a group of lawmakers have


submitted a draft bill to the national assembly that would declare a 15-year moratorium on granting permits and concessions for new hydroelectric projects in the Chiriqui province. This region is home to most of the country’s hydropower plants, including the country’s largest – the 300MW Fortuna plant. The IHA says that although hydropower has been beneficial to the country, greater regulations need to be implemented ahead of further construction.


Dealing with El Niño The operation of hydropower plants in central


and south America is is not without its challenges, particularly when confronted with natural phenomena like El Niño. With its potential to disrupt weather patterns and trigger extreme climate events, El Niño poses unique obstacles for hydropower facilities. There have been a number of strategies and adaptations employed by hydropower plants to effectively cope with the impact of El Niño, ensuring a resilient and efficient energy generation system amid a changing climate landscape. Celsia, a prominent energy company under the Grupo Argos umbrella, has proactively taken measures to ensure the uninterrupted operation of its thermal and hydro generation plants in Colombia. Recognizing the potential strain on the electrical system due to water scarcity caused by this climatic variation, the company has implemented robust preparations to mitigate any adverse effects. To fortify its generation plants against the challenges posed by El Niño, Celsia has undertaken several crucial initiatives: Preventive maintenance: Rigorous maintenance measures have been implemented for both the hydroelectric and thermal power plants. This includes fine-tuning the equipment and machinery to optimize performance during periods of reduced rainfall.


Advanced maintenance for thermal plants: In anticipation of a possible scarcity period in the latter half of 2023 and the summer of 2024 (January to April), Celsia has conducted maintenance work ahead of schedule for its thermal plants. These plants gain greater significance during this time, as they provide essential reliability to the system. Factors such as operational hours and machine starts have been taken into account to plan the maintenance effectively.


Reservoir management: Celsia has taken proactive steps to manage the water reserves in its reservoirs, namely Salvajina, Prado, and Calima. Ensuring an adequate level of water reserves is critical to fulfill the company’s energy delivery commitments to the National Interconnected System (SIN).


References


The IHA’s World Hydropower Outlook for 2023 can be downloaded at www.hydropower.org/ publications/%202023-world- hydropower-outlook


Regarding the thermal plants Tesorito (200 MW) and Meriléctrica (164 MW), Celsia has secured Gas Purchase Option contracts (OCGs) that support their assigned Firm Energy Obligations. The company has confirmed that the fuel contracts remain valid and pose no supply risk, as the suppliers have not reported any compromising situations that could hinder


16 | August 2023 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


deliveries during the anticipated shortage period. In preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, Celsia has made sure that all its plants are well-stocked with spare parts and critical materials, readily available in its own warehouses. Additionally, strategic suppliers have been requested to maintain sufficient stock to supply crucial elements as and when needed. The Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC EP) has also devised an Institutional Contingency Plan to ensure uninterrupted operation of the Minas San Francisco hydropower plant during the presence of the El Niño phenomenon. This strategic plan, developed by the CELEC SUR Business Unit, outlines various measures to guarantee the supply of electrical energy in the country. Key actions identified in the plan include expedited


maintenance of access roads leading to the powerhouse, reservoir, elevation substation, and other crucial areas essential for the plant’s operation. These efforts are aimed at facilitating the movement of technicians and operators to ensure smooth functioning of the 270MW power plant. The Minas San Francisco Power Plant, situated on the western slope near the Pacific, plays a critical role in providing energy during the dry season on the Amazon slope, where CELEC EP operates the majority of its hydroelectric plants. It is important to note that contingency plans for communities and populations located along the banks of the Jubones River will be managed by the institutions comprising the provincial COE (Emergency Operations Committee): Provincial Government, Municipalities, Parish Councils, and the Secretariat of Risk Management. In relation to the Minas San Francisco dam reservoir,


Paúl Vásquez, manager of the CELEC SUR Business Unit, emphasized that its primary function is not flood control due to its limited water storage capacity. When the reservoir reaches its partial capacity and experiences a flood, it quickly reaches maximum capacity within a few hours. In such cases, the excess flow is released through the gates. Downstream of the dam, the Jubones River receives significant contributions from tributaries like Chillayacu, Vivar, Mollepungo, Casacay, Huizho, Quera, and Galayacu during the winter season, which further affects the flow reaching lower-lying areas. Addressing concerns raised by local authorities, CELEC SUR participated in a meeting called by the Mayor’s Office of Pasaje on June 20. During the meeting, the characteristics of the plant and the operational principles of the Minas San Francisco dam were presented to the attendees. Additionally, on June 28, 2023, officials and mayors from the Pasaje, Machala, and El Guabo cantons, along with representatives from the El Oro Prefecture, the Governor’s Office of the province, and the National Secretary for Risk Management, visited the Minas San Francisco Hydroelectric Power Plant. The visit provided an opportunity to explain the operations of the power plant and address concerns related to potential flooding of the San Francisco and Jubones rivers upstream. This inter-institutional coordination has stimulated the activation of the El Oro provincial COE, bringing together all relevant stakeholders to address the anticipated impacts of the El Niño phenomenon on the Jubones River.


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