Lauca Dam

Lauca Dam
Location of Lauca Dam in Angola
Country	Angola
Location	Gomespan, Erbil Governorate
Coordinates	9°44′34.9″S 15°07′32.2″E / 9.743028°S 15.125611°E / -9.743028; 15.125611Coordinates: 9°44′34.9″S 15°07′32.2″E / 9.743028°S 15.125611°E / -9.743028; 15.125611
Purpose	Power
Status	Under construction
Construction began	2012
Opening date	2018
Construction cost	US$4.3 billion
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
Impounds	Cuanza River
Height	132 m (433 ft)
Length	1,075 m (3,527 ft)
Dam volume	2,750,000 m3 (3,600,000 cu yd)
Spillway capacity	10,020 m3/s (354,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Total capacity	5,482,000,000 m3 (4,444,000 acre·ft)
Surface area	188 km2 (73 sq mi)
Power station
Commission date	2017-2018 (est.)
Type	Conventional
Hydraulic head	Main plant: 200 m (660 ft) Ancillary: 128 m (420 ft)
Turbines	Main plant: 6 x 334 MW Francis-type Ancillary: 1 x 65.5 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	Main plant: 2,004 MW Ancillary: 65.5MW Total: 2069.5 MW
Annual generation	8,640 GWh (est.)

The Lauca Dam is a gravity dam currently being constructed on the Cuanza River in Angola. It is situated on the borders of Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul and Malanje Provinces. Construction began in 2012 and the first two generators of the 2,069.5 MW power station are expected to be commissioned in 2017-2018. The dam and power station will cost US$4.3 billion, funded in part by the Government of Brazil. When complete, it will be the largest power station in the country.

The 132 m (433 ft) tall roller-compacted concrete dam will withhold a reservoir of 5,482,000,000 m³ (4,444,000 acre·ft). The reservoir will supply two hydroelectric power stations, a main and an ancillary. The main will contain six 334 MW Francis turbine-generators and the ancillary a single 65.5 MW Francis unit. The ancillary power station will operate most often, to maintain a minimum 60 m³/s (2,100 cu ft/s) ecological flow of the river.