ARGENTINA

Hydropower & Dams World Atlas quotes Argentina’s gross theoretical hydropower potential as 172 000 GWh/year; its technically feasible potential is put at 130 000 GWh/year, of which about 23% has so far been exploited.

Hydro output in 1999 was 21.6 TWh, but this was an exceptionally depressed level, owing to a severe drought in the regions of Comahue and Patagonia during 1998/1999. With an installed capacity of nearly 9 000 MW at end-1999, normal hydro output would be around 30 TWh/year.

A substantial portion of Argentina’s hydro capacity is accounted for by its 50% share in two bi-national schemes: Salto Grande (installed capacity 1 890 MW), shared with Uruguay, and Yacyretá (3 100 MW), shared with Paraguay. The latter plant is currently operating at a reduced head, with its capacity restricted to 1 800 MW.

The total amount of hydro capacity under construction at the end of 1999 was 960 MW, with a further 216 MW at the planning stage.

BOLIVIA

Bolivia has a considerable hydro potential, its technically feasible potential being assessed at 126 TWh/year, of which 50 TWh/year is considered to be economically exploitable. Only a minute proportion of the potential has been harnessed so far – 1999 hydro capacity was 330 MW, with an output of about 1.7 TWh.

A 126 MW expansion of a privately-owned plant at Corani was nearing completion in 1999, whilst the approximately 700 MW of hydro capacity planned includes major plants at San José (126 MW), Misicuni (120 MW) and Palillada (80 MW).

<<...BACK....>>