Project Central Hidroeléctrica Lircay

The Lircay Run-Of-River Project, first project developed by Hridromaule S.A., consists of a run-of-river power plant of 19 MW installed capacity that utilizes the waters of the first section of the Maule Norte Bajo canal, in the San Clemente commune, Province of Talca, VII Region del Maule.

It produces an average annual generation of 130 GWh. The project connects to the Central Interconnected System (SIC) and the energy is delivered to industrial and residential consumers in the area.

The Lircay Run-Of-River Project uses well proven technologies for electric power generation. The design consists of a water intake in the Maule Norte Bajo canal, an open channel of 2.96 km long and 22 m3/s capacity, a pressure penstock with 105.75 meter net head, a power house with two horizontal axis Francis turbines connected to a power generator of 9.5 MW each, a 6.6 kV generator, a 6.6 to 66 kV and 22 MVA power transformer and 26.6 km of transmission line to connect the project with the Central Interconnected System (SIC) through the existing Maule substation.

The plant has been operational since 2008, and is registered under the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism), according to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, with a total emissions reduction of 53,000 ton.

The Project contributes to sustainable development in Chile through use of local renewable energy resources (small hydro) to displace coal and natural gas thermal power generation in the SIC (Central Interconnected System, one of the Chilean grids), increases commercial activity through clean and renewable source of power, generates employment generation in the 7th Region where the project is located, improves the ACM irrigation system (near 2,200 irrigators), through annual payments for the water rights, among others.

Project Details

Project Name: Lircay Run-Of-River Project

Project Number: 522

Standard: Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)

Project Type: Energy industries (renewable/non-renewable sources)

Location: Chile