Caruachi dam and power station. An emblematic hydroelectric project in Venezuela

The Caruachi hydroelectric project, set in the Venezuelan Guayana, is one of most important hydroelectric generating projects currently underway worldwide. The design, integrating both the power station and the dam, present a number of innovations with regards to traditional dam and powerhouse arrangements. Furthermore, the unusual requirements with regards to the thermal conditions for concrete casting, the huge volumes of work to be constructed and the exceptional dimensions of the hydro-mechanical components (mainly turbines and gates) require specialized installations and construction resources which go beyond the standard requirements of these types of works. The present article describes the design, work and the techniques involved in the construction of the project.