Belver Dam

Belver Dam (Portuguese: Barragem de Belver) is a concrete gravity dam on the Tagus, where the river forms the border line between the Portuguese districts of Portalegre and Santarém. It is located in the municipality Gavião, in Portalegre District.

Belver Dam
Location of Belver Dam in Portugal
Official name	Barragem de Belver
Location	municipality Gavião, Portalegre District, Portugal
Coordinates	39°28′47.2″N 7°59′52.3″W
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	1945
Opening date	1952
Owner(s)	HIDROTEJO
Operator(s)	Energias de Portugal
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Concrete gravity dam
Impounds	Tagus
Height (foundation)	30 m (98 ft)
Length	327.5 m (1,074 ft)
Elevation at crest	47.5 m (156 ft)
Dam volume	90,000 m^3 (3,200,000 cu ft)
Spillway type	Dam body
Spillway capacity	18,000 m^3 (640,000 cu ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	12,500,000 m^3 (10,100 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity	8,500,000 m^3 (6,900 acre⋅ft)
Surface area	2.86 km^2 (1.10 sq mi)
Normal elevation	46.15 m (151.4 ft)
Operator(s)	Energias de Portugal
Commission date	1951
Hydraulic head	15.2 m (50 ft) (max)
Turbines	Kaplan-type: 4 x 8.091 MW, 1 x 15.997 MW, 1 x 35.304 MW
Installed capacity	80.7 MW
Annual generation	220 GWh

Construction of the dam began in 1945. The dam was completed in 1952. It is owned by HIDROTEJO.[1]

Dam

Belver Dam is a 30-metre-tall (98 ft) (height above foundation) and 327.5-metre-long (1,074 ft) gravity dam with a crest altitude of 47.5 metres (156 ft). The volume of the dam is 90,000 m³. The spillway is part of the dam body (10 roller gates with a maximum discharge capacity of 18,000 m³/s).[1]

Reservoir

At full reservoir level of 46.15 metres (151.4 ft) (maximum flood level of 47.15 metres (154.7 ft)) the reservoir of the dam has a surface area of 2.86 km² and its total capacity is 12.5 mio. m³. The active capacity is 8.5 (7.5)[2] mio. m³. Minimum operating level is 41 metres (135 ft).[1]

Power plant

The run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant went operational in 1951.[2] It is operated by EDP. The plant has a nameplate capacity of 80.7[1][2][3] (80)[4] MW. Its average annual generation is 220[2] (176,[1] 180[3] or 239[4]) GWh.

The power station contains six Kaplan turbine-generators in a dam powerhouse. The machines 1 to 5 have vertical shafts, whereas machine 6 has a horizontal shaft. The maximum hydraulic head is 15.2 metres (50 ft).[2]

Machine	Commission date[3]	Turbine (MW)	Generator (MVA)	Rotation
1	1951	8.091	11	167
2	1951	8.091	11	167
3	1951	8.091	11	167
4	1951	8.091	11	167
5	1971	15.997	20	125
6	1984	35.304	31	100

See also

• List of power stations in Portugal
• List of dams and reservoirs in Portugal

References

1. "BELVER DAM". APA Barragens de Portugal. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
2. "Belver Informação Técnica" (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. Archived from the original on 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
3. "DECLARAÇÃO AMBIENTAL 2012" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. pp. 51 (49). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
4. "Hidroelectricidade em Portugal memória e desafio" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Rede Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. p. 29 (27). Retrieved 2015-02-05.