COLOMBIA
The theoretical potential for hydropower is very
large, being estimated to be in the order of 1 000
TWh/year, of which 20% is classed as technically feasible.
The economically exploitable capability has been evaluated
as 140 TWh/year: hydro output in 1999 represented
about 25% of this potential, and accounted for around
70% of Colombia’s electricity generation.
Two large hydro schemes are under construction – Porce
II (392 MW) and La Miel I (400 MW). The former was
originally scheduled for completion during 1999 but
was delayed by two years owing to a change in the
main contractor. La Miel I is due to come into service
in 2002-2003.
CONGO
The assessed potential for hydropower is by far the
highest in Africa, and one of the highest in the world.
The gross theoretical potential is almost 1 400 TWh/year,
of which about 55% is regarded as technically feasible.
The current level of hydro-electric output is equivalent
to less than 1% of this latter potential. Hydro provides
virtually the whole of the country’s electricity.
The national power authority SNEL has 16 hydro plants,
with a total rated capacity of 2 426 MW; its largest
stations are Inga 1 (1 424 MW) and Inga 2 (351 MW).
The effective capacity at SNEL’s hydro plants has
recently been less than half their rated level, owing
to problems in maintenance and refurbishment.
A huge scheme (Grand Inga or Inga 4) exists for the
installation of up to 52 generators of 750 MW each,
to supply electricity to Egypt and South Africa via
new long-distance transmission lines. The construction
of a first-stage plant of around 8 000 MW is envisaged
by 2010, but implementation would depend upon success
in arranging finance, together with a favourable national
and international political climate.
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