Represa de Baygorria, Hydroelectric power station on Rio Negro, Uruguay
Represa de Baygorria is a hydroelectric facility on the Rio Negro in central Uruguay with a concrete dam wall roughly 700 meters long. The complex uses three large turbines to convert the river's flow into electricity and feeds this power into the national grid.
Construction began in 1956 and finished in 1960, marking a major step forward for Uruguay's power supply during that era. The project was part of a broader push to supply the nation with electricity using its own water resources.
The dam represents Uruguay's choice to rely on flowing water for electricity rather than other energy sources. For people living nearby and across the country, it means having steady power that has worked for generations.
The facility is located in the northern part of the country, reachable by regional roads from larger cities. Visitors can often view the complex from outside areas and learn more through tours that show how the operation works.
The reservoir behind the dam holds a large amount of water that allows steady power production throughout the year. This natural storage means the plant can operate smoothly even when river flow changes with the seasons.
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