Kamburu Dam

Kamburu Dam
Location of Kamburu Dam in Kenya
Country Kenya
Location Embu County/Machakos County, Eastern Province
Coordinates 80°48′21″S 37°41′08″E / 80.80583°S 37.68556°E / -80.80583; 37.68556Coordinates: 80°48′21″S 37°41′08″E / 80.80583°S 37.68556°E / -80.80583; 37.68556
Purpose Power
Status Operational
Construction began 1971
Opening date 1974 (1974)
Construction cost US$47 million
Owner(s) Kenya Electricity Generating Company
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Embankment
Impounds Tana River
Height 52 m (171 ft)
Length 730 m (2,400 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity 123,000,000 m3 (100,000 acre·ft)
Power station
Name Kamburu Power Station
Operator(s) Kenya Electricity Generating Company
Commission date 1974
Hydraulic head 82 m (269 ft)
Turbines 3 x 31 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity 93 MW (125,000 hp)

The Kamburu Hydroelectric Power Station, also Kamburu Dam is a rock-filled embankment dam on the Tana River in Kenya. It straddles the border of Embu and Machakos Counties in Eastern Province. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 93 MW power station. Construction on the dam began in 1971 and it was completed in 1975. The power station was commissioned the same year. US$23 million of the US$47 million project cost was provided by the World Bank. The power station is operated by Kenya Electricity Generating Company and is part of the Seven Forks Scheme.[1][2]

The 52 m (171 ft) tall dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 123,000,000 m3 (100,000 acre·ft). The power station is located underground just below the left toe and contains three 31 MW Francis turbine-generators. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a net hydraulic head of 82 m (269 ft). Water discharged from the power station travels down a 3,040 m (9,970 ft) long tailrace tunnel before reaching the Tana at Gitaru Reservoir.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kamburu Power Station". Kenya Electricity Generating Company. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Kenya - Kamburu Hydroelectric Project (English)". World Bank. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Kenya - Appraisal of the Kamburu Hydroelectric Project" (PDF). World Bank. 31 May 1971. pp. Annex 5. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
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