Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station
{{short description|Kenyan power station}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station
| image =
| image_caption =
| location_map =Kenya
| country =Kenya
| location =Embu County/Machakos County
| coordinates = {{coord|00|47|43|S|37|45|09|E|source:dewiki_region:KE-700_scale:50000_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| owner = Kenya Electricity Generating Company
| purpose = Power
| status = O
| construction_began = 1975
| opening = {{Start date and age|1978}}
| demolished =
| cost =
| dam_type = reservoir
| dam_crosses = Tana River
| dam_length = {{Convert|580|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = {{Convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_elevation_crest =
| dam_width_crest =
| dam_width_base =
| dam_volume =
| spillway_count =
| spillway_type =
| spillway_capacity = {{Convert|4500|m3/s|ft3/s|abbr=on}}
| res_name =
| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|16000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}
| res_capacity_active =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment =
| res_surface =
| res_max_length =
| res_max_width =
| res_max_depth =
| res_elevation = {{Convert|924|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| plant_name = Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station
| plant_coordinates = {{coord|00|47|43|S|37|45|09|E|type:landmark}}
| plant_operator =Kenya Electricity Generating Company
| plant_type = R
| plant_hydraulic_head ={{convert|136|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| plant_turbines =2 x 72 MW, 1 x 81 MW Francis-type
| plant_capacity = {{convert|225|MW|abbr=on}}
| plant_commission = 1999 (Unit 3)
| plant_decommission =
}}
The Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station, also known as the Gitaru Dam, is a rock and earth-filled embankment dam on the Tana River in Kenya. It straddles the border between Embu and Machakos Counties in the former Eastern Province. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation. It supports a 225 megawatt power station.{{cite web|date=2010 | url=https://kengen.co.ke/index.php/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=210:gitaru&catid=33:power-stations |title=About Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station | publisher=Kenya Electricity Generating Company |author=KenGen |access-date=28 September 2020 |location=Nairobi}}
Location
The power station is located approximately {{convert|16.5|km|0}}, by road, east of the town of Mavuria in Embu County.{{google maps| url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mavuria,+Kenya/Gitaru+Hydroelectrical+Power+Plant,+Kenya/@-0.8123068,37.7113899,12.25z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x18266c97458065d1:0x3743aa3b3012e0ee!2m2!1d37.6572879!2d-0.7831874!1m5!1m1!1s0x18266ee910a1050b:0x273f13e96693c98c!2m2!1d37.752322!2d-0.7941855!3e0 |title=Road Distance Between Mavuria And Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station |access-date=28 September 2020}} This is approximately {{convert|161|km|0}}, by road, northeast of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city.{{google maps| url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nairobi,+Kenya/Gitaru+Hydroelectrical+Power+Plant,+Kenya/@-0.9416098,37.4000401,9z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x182f1172d84d49a7:0xf7cf0254b297924c!2m2!1d36.8219462!2d-1.2920659!1m5!1m1!1s0x18266ee910a1050b:0x273f13e96693c98c!2m2!1d37.752322!2d-0.7941855!3e0 |title=Road Distance Between Nairobi And Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station |access-date=28 September 2020}} The geographical coordinates of Gitaru Power Station are:00°47'43.0"S, 37°45'09.0"E (Latitude:-0.795278; Longitude:37.752500).{{google maps| url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/0%C2%B047'43.0%22S+37%C2%B045'09.0%22E/@-0.7886273,37.7454716,6279m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d-0.7952778!4d37.7525 |title=Location of Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station |access-date=28 September 2020}}
History
Construction of the dam began in 1975 and was completed in 1978. The third generating set, mobilizing the full potential of the power station was not commissioned until 1999.{{cite web|title=History of Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station | url=http://www.kengen.co.ke/?q=content%2Fhydro-power-stations |date=17 April 2016 |
publisher=Kenya Electricity Generating Company |
author=KenGen |access-date=28 September 2020 |location=Nairobi |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160417203736/http://www.kengen.co.ke/?q=content%2Fhydro-power-stations|archive-date = 17 April 2016|
format=Archived from the original on 17 April 2016}} The World Bank lent US$63 million towards the development of this power station. The station is operated by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and is part of the Seven Forks Scheme.{{cite web|title=Kenya - Gitaru Hydroelectric Project (English) | url=https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/308281468272084130/kenya-gitaru-hydroelectric-project |publisher=World Bank |date=1975 | author=World Bank |access-date=28 September 2020 |
location=Washington, DC}}
Overview
The {{Convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall dam holds a {{Convert|16000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} reservoir. The relatively small reservoir relies on steady releases from the Masinga and Kamburu Dams upstream. The reservoir power station is located underground near the left abutment and contains two 72 megawatt and one 81 megawatt Francis turbine-generators. Water released from the station is returned to the Tana at the Kindaruma Reservoir via a {{Convert|4.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} long tailrace tunnel. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a net hydraulic head of {{Convert|136|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Kenya - Appraisal of the Gitaru Hydroelectric Project |date=23 May 1975 |url=http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2000/08/04/000178830_98101901194031/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf| publisher=World Bank|access-date=21 February 2015 | pages=Annex 5}}
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Kenya|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
- Kamburu Hydroelectric Power Station – Upstream
- Kindaruma Hydroelectric Power Station – Downstream
- List of power stations in Kenya