The Engenheiro José Mendes Júnior Hydropower plant, also known as Funil Hydropower plant, is a conventional hydroelectric power station administered by Aliança Geração de Energia S.A., a partnership between Vale and Cemig. The Funil Plant has an installed capacity of 180MW with 89 MW of assured average energy in operation.

Funil Hydropower Plant
Location of Funil Hydropower Plant in Brazil
Official name	Engenheiro José Mendes Júnior Hydropower plant
Country	Brazil
Location	Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Coordinates	22°31′43.32″S 44°34′4.8″W
Construction began	September 2000
Opening date	January 2004
Owner(s)	Aliança Geração de Energia S.A
Reservoir
Total capacity	40,49 km²
Installed capacity	180MW

Location

The plant is located on the Rio Grande, which belongs to the Rio Paraná basin, in southern Minas Gerais, between the municipalities of Perdões and Lavras.[1]

Timeline

The Funil Plant was built in 33 months and its first generating unit went into commercial operation within 27 months of implementation. The construction began in September, 2000, and ended in July, 2003, with the delivery of the third generating unit.[1]

1. 1990: Formulation of Environmental impact Analysis and Report.
2. Dec/1994: Preliminary License is granted.
3. Sept/2000: Installation license is granted and start of construction.
4. Nov/2002: Operation license is granted.
5. Jan/2003: First generation unit goes operational
6. Jun/2003: Second generation unit goes operational
7. Jul/2003: Third generation unit goes operational
8. Mar/2015: The power plant is integrated within the Aliança Geração de Energia S.A. partnership

Dam

At its full operational capacity, the dam floods an area of 40,49 km², covering borders of 5 municipalities: Lavras, Perdões, Bom Sucesso, Ijaci e Ibituruna. The installed generation capacity of the plant is 180 MW with a hydraulic design head of 39 meters, utilizing Kaplan turbines.[1]

This facility was the first in Brazil to implement a fishway in a structure of this kind to facilitate fish migration. It started operation in january 2004

References

External links

• Official Website