The Lempa River Hydroelectric Executive Commission (CEL), carries out the ramp repair project
of the discharge channel of the two turbines of the 15 de Septiembre Hydroelectric Power Plant, from its
construction in the 80s. In addition, it simultaneously carries out stabilization works in the
slope downstream of the right bank, which have made significant progress and are expected to finish
in the coming month of May.
According to the autonomous company, the project is carried out with its own funds in the order of $11 million;
and both construction and supervision are in charge of local companies.
The project has the authorization of the Transactions Unit, since it implies the closing and
drying of the turbinated water discharge channel, therefore, there will be no power generation
hydroelectric, during the month of April.
To maintain the environmental flow during this period of the year, we will proceed during the repair
of the discharge channel, to transfer water from the reservoir through 4 of the 8 gates of the spillway of
controlled and continuous way, to keep the ecosystem downstream unchanged.
The works will provide greater stability to the slope of the right bank and with this we guarantee the
dam safety. Due to the deterioration due to its continuous operation throughout the years that it presents
the concrete slab, a gully was formed under it, putting at risk of a sinkhole the
Turbined water outlet structure, which could cause the forced shutdown of the Power Plant and other
damage if not repaired preventively.
The repair of the discharge channel will be carried out by placing dozens of cubic meters of a
anti-washing concrete in the gully that has formed under the slab of said channel; as well as in the
ditch formed in the bed of the river downstream of the slab of said channel; in order to restore the profile
hydraulic design, and prolong its service life.
While the works are being carried out on the river bed, the powerhouse will be used to carry out the
major maintenance to Unit No. 1, which consists of biennial preventive maintenance to the
main and auxiliary equipment, that is, to the generator, turbine, excitation, speed regulator,
power transformer, intake, and pumping systems, among others; during that time in the
Unit No. 2 will carry out a general inspection of the entire unit to project its comprehensive maintenance, also known as Overhaul* in the dry season 2024-2025, similar to the work carried out in U1 in 2013-2014.