Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station

Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station
Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station is located in Kenya
Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station
Location of Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station in Kenya
CountryKenya
LocationLorokon, West Pokot County
Coordinates1°53′53.47″N 35°20′1.34″E / 1.8981861°N 35.3337056°E / 1.8981861; 35.3337056
PurposePower, irrigation, fisheries
StatusOperational
Construction began1986
Opening date1991; 33 years ago (1991)
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch
ImpoundsTurkwel River
Height153 m (502 ft)
Length150 m (490 ft)
Dam volume170,000 m3 (220,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
CreatesTurkwel Gorge Reservoir
Total capacity1,641,000,000 m3 (1,330,000 acre⋅ft)
Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station
Coordinates1°55′16.85″N 35°21′31.79″E / 1.9213472°N 35.3588306°E / 1.9213472; 35.3588306
Operator(s)Kenya Electricity Generating Company
Commission date1991
TypeConventional
Hydraulic head356 m (1,168 ft)
Turbines2 x 56 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity106 MW (142,000 hp)

The Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station, also Turkwel Dam, is an arch dam on the Turkwel River about 76 km (47 mi) north of Lorokon in West Pokot County, Kenya. The dam serves several purposes, including hydroelectric power production, irrigation, tourism and fisheries. It was constructed between 1986 and 1991. It supports the third largest hydroelectric power plant in the country, having an installed electric capacity of 106 megawatts (142,000 hp).[1]

The dam, Kenya's tallest, has a height of 153 metres (502 ft), a crest length of 150 m, a dam volume of 170,000 cubic metres (6,000,000 cu ft) and retains a water volume of 1,641 million cubic metres (1,330,000 acre⋅ft). The power station is located underground, downstream, and contains two 56 MW Francis turbine generators.[2] The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a net hydraulic head of 356 m (1,168 ft).[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Turkwel History". Kengen. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Scenic Turkwel pulls in tourists" (PDF). Ipsos. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Tender for Rehabilitation of Turbine Governor & Control Equipment, Excitation System, Generator & Transformer Protections Systems and MV/LV Supply Distribution System for Turkwel Hydro Power Station-Kenya" (PDF). Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited. p. 44. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
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