Campos Novos Dam
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The Campos Novos Dam is in Santa Catarina province in southern Brazil (Latitude S27o36', Longitude W51o19'). In 2006, at 200m dam height, it was regarded as the third highest dam of this type in the world, but, in June 2006, the water which it held back ran out following a break in the dam wall.
Built at the cost of USD 671 million, it is located on the Canoas River, Brazil. It is part of a hydro-electric complex intended to provide 880 MW. A second dam is below this one, and together they can hold a little more than 2 cubic kilometers of water.
Campos Novos' 35 years build and operate concession was awarded in 1998. It is owned by Enercan, a consortium made up of Brazilian power company CPFL Energia with 48.7%, Brazillian aluminium maker CBA with 22.7%, metallurgy company CNT with 20%, state-controlled companies Rio Grande do Sul with 6.5% and Santa Catarina Celesc with 2%.
The dam builder was a consortium led by Brazilian construction company Camargo Correa and engineering consultants Engevix. Funding is by Inter-American Development Bank and Brazilian state-owned National Bank for Economic and Social Development.
A major break caused the water to begin to run out, after a tunnel collapsed on 20 June 2006. The exact reasons for the cracking were unknown in July 2006, however it has been revealed that patches were begun on another tunnel in October 2005 before the recent tunnel failure. [1] [2]. Following this discovery, hidden by the partners of the project, it appeared that these companies had maltreated the local populations. An investigation into the human rights violations was launched by United Nations Organisation [3].
[edit] References
- ^ (English) Enormous new dam fails in Brazil, New Scientist, 2006-07-08
- ^ Giant Cracks Appear in New Brazilian Dam, Environment News Service, 2006-06-29
- ^ Giant Cracks Appear in New Brazilian Dam, Environment News Service, 2006-06-29
