Caruachi Hydroelectric Power Plant
Project sheet
- Sector
- Power
- Client
- Consorcio DRAVICA (Dragados – España, Constructora Vialpa – Venezuela, ICA – México)
- Location
- Caroní River, ~59 km downstream of Guri, Bolívar State, Venezuela
- Year
- 2003 – 2006
- Vialpa Role
- Participation in DRAVICA consortium
Project overview
The Caruachi hydroelectric development is located on the Caroní River, about 59 kilometers downstream from the Guri Reservoir. Together with the Guri, Macagua and Tocoma plants, it forms the Lower Caroní Hydroelectric Development. The powerhouse houses 12 Kaplan-type generating units of 190 MW each, for a total installed capacity of 2,280 MW, with a reservoir elevation of 91.25 meters. The first generating unit entered commercial operation in April 2003. Caruachi was built by the DRAVICA Consortium (Dragados, Constructora Vialpa and ICA), which received the Construction of the Year 2003 Award.
The Challenge
A large-scale development of high engineering complexity, executed within a nationally strategic energy infrastructure environment, integrating major civil, electromechanical and hydraulic works.
Vialpa Scope
Participation within the DRAVICA Consortium in the Caruachi project works. The capacity figures describe the overall project, not Vialpa's exclusive scope.
Engineering / Construction Approach
Execution under an international consortium structure, combining local experience and large-project engineering capabilities for the Lower Caroní Hydroelectric Development.
Operational Constraints
Coordination of execution within an international consortium (Dragados, Constructora Vialpa and ICA), ensuring the integration of works with the progressive commercial operation of the generating units from April 2003.
Technical Highlights
- Total project installed capacity: 2,280 MW
- 12 Kaplan-type generating units of 190 MW each
- Reservoir elevation: 91.25 m
- First generating unit in commercial operation: April 2003
- Participation in the DRAVICA Consortium — Construction of the Year 2003 Award
Key Quantities
These figures describe the overall project. Vialpa participated as part of the DRAVICA Consortium; they do not represent Vialpa's exclusive scope.
Photographic archive and field execution
Original photographic field documentation of road execution, structures, concrete barriers and earthmoving by Constructora Vialpa.
Aerial panoramic view of the powerhouse and spillway at Caruachi Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Caroní River with 12 Kaplan-type units
Spillway in free discharge with radial gates and architectural control tower of the hydroelectric plant
High aerial overview of the Caruachi reservoir, rockfill dam, powerhouse and the Caroní river basin
Major civil earthworks, benching, rock excavations and construction of dikes and perimeter access roads
Interior inspection and service gallery in the powerhouse with architectural granite and marble finishes
General view of the dam and powerhouse at Caruachi Power Plant