Alto Maipo Hydroelectric Complex

Alto Maipo Hydroelectric Complex

Poch was a key player in the development of the basic engineering design of the Hydroelectric Project of Alto Maipo, as part of an alliance between three companies. Poch led the planning study, hydraulic design of the underground buildings, energy generation modelling, electric system sizing, tracing of the transmission lines and substations, geological studies and the design of the powerhouse.

The Hydroelectric Complex of Alto Maipo consists of two run-of-river hydropower stations. Overall, both stations have a generation capacity of 531 MW. Station Las Lajas provides a water height of 486m, and station Alfalfal II of 1.150m. These stations have the peculiarity of conducting their waters through tunnels, in an underground network of nearly 70 km. The complex is located in the Metropolitan Region, in an area near to Santiago, and it is estimated that it will generate nearly 2.450 GW/year.