Technical visit: CH Baygorria
The Rincón de Baygorria Hydropower Plant is the second link in the cascading chain of hydroelectric power exploitation from the Negro River, which begins with the Rincón del Bonete Plant and culminates in the Constitución Plant, located in Paso Palmar.
Background and Construction
In 1951, preliminary technical studies were conducted for the formulation of the preliminary project, including topographical and geological analyses and investment estimates. Construction was authorized by Law No. 12,023 of November 10, 1953, which also established the financing scheme.
The design was advised by Professor Adolfo Ludín, who was also responsible for the Rincón del Bonete project. In February 1955, an international public bidding process was launched, and in May 1956, the contract was awarded to a German consortium comprised of Siemens Schuckertwerke A.G., Siemens Bauunion G.m.b.H., Philipp Holzmann A.G., and Grün & Bilfinger A.G.
Construction work began in August 1956, beginning with preliminary works and the installation of excavation equipment. Generating Unit No. 3 was the first to enter commercial operation at the end of June 1960. The official inauguration of the plant took place on July 8 of the same year.
Technical Data and Specifications
The plant has a basin area of 43,900 km², a total reservoir volume (level 54.00 m²) of 570 hm², and a reservoir surface area of 100 km².
The powerhouse houses three vertical-axis Kaplan-type hydraulic turbines with a total rated power of 108 MW (36 MW per unit) and a rated speed of 79 rpm. The hydraulic design allows operation with net heads between 10.50 and 19.00 meters. The effective power supplied to the National Interconnected System from the coupling point in Montevideo is 87,000 kW under normal conditions. The firm power is 65,000 kW, with an estimated annual energy production of 400 GWh.
For 65 years, thanks to the commitment of its technical and human resources, the plant has maintained efficient and reliable operation, consolidating its strategic role in the national energy mix.
Modernization Project
Over time, and after decades of uninterrupted operation, the plant requires a technological upgrade to continue providing renewable energy safely and efficiently. For this reason, UTE has defined a comprehensive technological renovation program, which includes the complete replacement of the three generating sets and their respective turbines.
Renovation work on the Baygorria Power Plant has already begun and will continue until 2028. The investment is over $100 million. The new generators, manufactured abroad, will arrive at the end of this year. Each unit will require approximately 400 days to install; at peak operation, approximately 500 people will be employed. The plant will maintain its installed capacity of 108 MW, extending its useful life by at least 30 years.
As part of the VI Latin American Hydropower and Systems Meeting, a visit will be made to the Baygorria Hydroelectric Plant, where the renovation work on the generating units will be observed.
The visit will take place on Friday, October 31st, departing by bus from Montevideo at 7:00 a.m., arriving at the plant at approximately 11:00 a.m., and returning to Montevideo at approximately 7:00 p.m.
