Monasavu Dam

{{Short description|Dam in Naitasiri Province, Fiji}}

{{Infobox dam

| name = Monasavu Dam

| name_official =

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| location_map = Fiji

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| coordinates = {{coord|17|45|23.95|S|178|03|00.57|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| country = Fiji

| location = Naitasiri Province

| purpose = Power

| status = O

| construction_began = May 1978

| opening = {{Start date and age|1983}}

| demolished =

| cost = US$234 million

| owner = Fiji Electricity Authority

| dam_type = Embankment, rock-fill

| dam_crosses = Nanuku River

| dam_length = {{Convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| dam_height = {{Convert|60|m|ft|abbr=on}}

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| res_name = Monasavu Reservoir

| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|133000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

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| plant_name = Wailoa Hydro Power Station

| plant_coordinates = {{coord|17|44|10.22|S|178|06|06.18|E|type:landmark}}

| plant_operator =

| plant_commission = 1983

| plant_decommission =

| plant_type =

| plant_turbines = 4 x {{Convert|20|MW|abbr=on}} Pelton-type

| plant_hydraulic_head ={{Convert|625|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| plant_capacity = {{Convert|80|MW|abbr=on}}

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{{Infobox protected area

| name = Monosavu Catchment

| iucn_category = VI

| location = Viti Levu, Fiji

| nearest_city = Suva

| area_km2 = 7.06

| area_ref = {{cite web|title=Monasavu Catchment {{!}} Protected Planet|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/monasavu-catchment-water-dam|website=www.protectedplanet.net|accessdate=28 May 2017}}

| established = 2004

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The Monasavu Dam is a rock-fill embankment dam on the Nanuku River about {{Convert|60|km}} northwest of Suva in Naitasiri Province, Fiji. It is located just above the Monasavu Falls and is both the tallest and largest dam, which also withholds the largest reservoir in the country. The primary purpose of the dam is to produce hydroelectric power and it supports an {{Convert|80|MW}} power station. To offset fossil fuel imports for power production on the island, the Monasavu-Wailoa Hydroelectric Project was authorized by the Fiji Electricity Authority in 1977 and construction began in May 1978.{{cite news | url=http://www.fea.com.fj/pages.cfm/major-projects/renewable-projects/hydro | title=Hydro | agency=Fiji Electricity Authority | accessdate=17 April 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221174416/http://www.fea.com.fj/pages.cfm/major-projects/renewable-projects/hydro | archivedate=21 February 2014 }} The dam was complete and power station commissioned in 1983.{{cite web | url=http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2006/09/fiji-seeks-design-to-expand-80-mw-wailoa.html | title=Fiji seeks design to expand 80-MW Wailoa | date=29 September 2006 | accessdate=17 April 2014}} About US$15 million of the project's total US$234 million cost was supplied by the World Bank, the rest by the host government and loans.

The dam, protection of its catchment and rainforest contribute to its national significance as outlined in Fiji's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.{{cite book|last1=Ganilau|first1=Bernadette Rounds|title=Fiji Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan|date=2007|publisher=Convention on Biological Diversity|pages=107–112|url=https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/fj/fj-nbsap-01-en.pdf|accessdate=28 May 2017}}