Rincón del Caqute, Hydroelectric power station and dam on Rio Negro, Uruguay
Rincón del Caqute is a hydroelectric dam and power station on the Río Negro in Uruguay. The facility stretches over 1100 meters and uses the river's flow to generate electricity for the nation's power grid.
Construction began in 1937 with original plans influenced by German engineering, but World War II forced a shift in the project's direction. The team adapted the design and completed the facility using American technology instead.
The facility bears the name of President Gabriel Terra, reflecting the national commitment to energy independence during Uruguay's industrial development period.
The site can be viewed from certain vantage points along the river, where the scale of the facility becomes apparent. Visit during clear weather to see the structure and surrounding landscape at their best.
A preserved lightbulb from the Nazi era remains on the site as a museum piece. This artifact links the dam's construction history with an uncommon remnant from international industrial times.
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