The Zaza Dam is an embankment dam on the Zaza River about 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Sancti Spíritus in Sancti Spíritus Province, Cuba. The dam was completed in 1972 with the primary purpose of irrigation but it also supports a small hydroelectric power station. The dam's reservoir, Zaza Reservoir, has a storage capacity of 1,020,000,000 m3 (830,000 acre⋅ft), making it the largest in the country.[1] Beginning in the 1990s, the Chinese government helped plan and install the hydroelectric power station. It contains two 1.35 MW Kaplan turbine-generators. The first was commissioned in October 2008, the second in February 2009.[2]

Zaza Dam
Zaza Dam is located in Cuba
Zaza Dam
Location of Zaza Dam in Cuba
Official namePresa Zaza
CountryCuba
LocationSancti Spíritus, Sancti Spíritus Province
Coordinates21°48′13.23″N 79°21′20.34″W / 21.8036750°N 79.3556500°W / 21.8036750; -79.3556500
PurposeWater supply, power
StatusOperational
Opening date1972; 52 years ago (1972)
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment
Height38 m (125 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesZaza Reservoir
Total capacity1,020,000,000 m3 (830,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area41.3 km2 (15.9 sq mi)
Operator(s)Unidad Empresarial de Base Hidroenergía
Commission date2008-2009
Turbines2 x 1.35 MW Kaplan-type
Installed capacity2.7 MW

References

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  1. ^ "Aquastat - Dams in Cuba". UNFAO. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Hydroelectric Plants in Cuba". IndustCards. Retrieved 24 April 2014.