The hydroelectric plant will have an average annual output of 52.5 MWh and will generate enough electricity to supply a population of 30000.
Isolux Corsán opened the Salto Andersen in Argentina's Río Negro province. The plant will generate some 52.5 MWh annually. That energy is equivalent to supplying electricity to a population of 30000. The plant, promoted by the Provincial Water Department (DPA), is located some 70 km upstream of the city of Río Colorado, in the southern Argentinian region of Patagonia. The construction has taken an investment of € 18.7M and 500 participated in the work. The construction works have made it possible to take advantage of a natural 7.5 m drop in the river-bed and a flow rate of 120 m³/s. The river waters are harnessed for two purposes by means of a dike, which redirects the rivers waters to a secondary channel. From here, a minimum flow of 20 m³/s is used for irrigation and a maximum of 120 m³/s to generate power. The electricity generated is uploaded onto the National Grid operated by CAMMESA and supplies the local and regional Rio Negro power lines. The Salto Andersen plant has been built with 2 Semi Kaplan turbines each with a maximum rated power of 3.93 MW. Unlike other existing hydroelectric plants in Argentina, this plant has a multiplier which speeds up the turbine rpm from 150 passes to 750. Moreover the main building of the plant covers an area of 532 m². The important environmental advantage of the hydroelectric plants, given they use water power to produce clean energy without generating greenhouse gasses has been highlighted during the opening. From technical aspect, Salto Andersen shows unique features among medium size hydroelectric plants in Argentina and has meant an alternative offer for new suppliers.
SEA provided for this plant a three-phase, three windings, oil immersed power transformer, with 10/10/5 MVA rated power and 6000/132000±10x1%/132000 V rated ratio at no load conditions.