Chalillo Dam

Chalillo Dam
Location of Chalillo Dam in Belize
Country	Belize
Location	Cayo
Coordinates	16°51′41.09″N 89°00′47.56″W / 16.8614139°N 89.0132111°W / 16.8614139; -89.0132111Coordinates: 16°51′41.09″N 89°00′47.56″W / 16.8614139°N 89.0132111°W / 16.8614139; -89.0132111
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	2002
Opening date	2005
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
Impounds	Macal River
Height	45 m (148 ft)
Height (foundation)	380 m (1,250 ft)
Dam volume	140,000 m3 (180,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
Total capacity	120,000,000 m3 (97,000 acre·ft)
Power station
Installed capacity	7 MW

The Chalillo Dam is a gravity dam on the Macal River about 33 km (21 mi) south of San Ignacio in Cayo District, Belize. Chalillo Dam's capacity was premeditated to be only 7.0MW. The dam was constructed by Sinohydro of Beijing, China between 2002 and 2005 with the primary purpose of hydroelectric power production. It is owned and operated by Belize Electricity Company Limited, (BECOL) with Fortis Inc. as the umbrella company. The project budget was approximately US 30 million and included at least 350 Belizean construction workers. Its construction generated controversy over its effect on the surrounding rain forest. Two smaller dams, the Mollejon and Vaca, are downstream from the Chalillo Dam.

Chalillo Hydroelectric Dam is situated in the Western most part of the country where the Macal River converges with the Raspaculo River. It is located in the Maya Mountains and shares adjacency with the Chiquibul National Park and the Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Positioning Chalillo Hydroelectric Dam approximately 16 kilometers from the Guatemalan border.

The primary purpose of Chalillo Hydroelectric Dam is to impound the water in the 46m storage dam during the rainy season and release during shortage. At the base of the dam, through a low level valve, water is released during the dry period. Basically, water is carried from the dam downstream to the powerhouse which protects the generating Kaplan turbines. Subsequent to powering the electric turbines, the water drifts back into the Macal River through the tailrace channel and back to its natural route towards its sister facility, Mollejon hydroelectric power plant.

All necessary equipment and controls required for the production of power is contained in the Power House. The circular steel which is about 80 meters in length and 2.4 meters in diameter facilitates the transport of water from the dam to the power plant. The Kaplan turbine generators equipped with adjustable blades, modern electronic and hydraulic systems help in the production of power. Subsequently, the power is delivered through the 115Kv line which is interconnected to Mollejon switchyard. Power is then distributed to BEL’s grid via Mollejon.