Substation Anticipates Dam

The Pirris electrical substation has gone on line, anticipating the opening of the Pirris hydroelectric dam slated to being operations this September.

The new substation, hooked up to the Lindora-Tarbaca-Parrita transmission line, can carry 230,000 volts. The Pirris Hydroelectric Project will generate 134 megawatts of power.

The reservoir behind the dam is already being filled and has reached nearly half its projected volume. It is expected to be completely full next month, fed by rainy season downpours.

The $627 million dam, begun in 1997, is financed by the funds of the state-owned ICE power company and through loans from international funds.It is part of a surge of infrastructure projects in the past two decades in this country.