Balbina Dam

Balbina Dam
Location	Amazonas, Brazil
Coordinates	01°55′02″S 59°28′25″W / 1.91722°S 59.47361°W / -1.91722; -59.47361Coordinates: 01°55′02″S 59°28′25″W / 1.91722°S 59.47361°W / -1.91722; -59.47361
Construction began	1985
Opening date	1989
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Uatumã River
Height	33 m (108 ft)
Length	2,920 m (9,580 ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Balbina Reservoir
Total capacity	17.54 km3 (14,220,000 acre·ft)
Catchment area	16,502 km2 (6,371 sq mi)
Surface area	2,360 km2 (910 sq mi)
Max. water depth	30 m (98 ft)
Power station
Operator(s)	Manaus Energia
Commission date	1989
Turbines	5 × 50 MW (67,000 hp)
Installed capacity	250 MW (340,000 hp)

The Balbina Dam (Portuguese: Usina Hidrelétrica de Balbina) is a hydroelectric dam and power station on the Uatumã River in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil. The location is under the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo jurisdiction, in the state of Amazonas.

It was built from 1985 to 1989 and is managed by Manaus Energia, under the Eletronorte system. The first of five generators began operating in February 1989. The dam has an installed capacity of 250 megawatts (340,000 hp) and floods a 2,360-square-kilometre (910 sq mi) area.^[1][2]

The dam was established to provide a renewable electricity supply to the city of Manaus but was considered by locals a controversial project from the start, due to the loss of forest and displacement of tribal homes grounds. It was also criticized for its expensive construction and maintenance costs.^[3] As a result of the methane released from its vast reservoir, proportional to its output, the Balbina Dam emits more greenhouse gases than most coal plants.^[4]

See also

• List of power stations in Brazil

References

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