Batalha Plant


Credit: José Lins


The Batalha Hydroelectric Power Plant is located on the São Marcos River, between Cristalina (GO) and Paracatu (MG) and has an installed capacity of 52.5 MW - enough energy to supply a city of 130 thousand people.

With its 50 meter high dam, the plant began operating in May 2014 and is fully owned by FURNAS. It closes off the São Marcos River Valley, creating a 138 km² reservoir. The power output is provided by two Francis-type generator units.

The plant's reservoir helps normalize river flows and increases energy generation at hydroelectric plants located downstream of the facility. The lake also provides irrigation for crops and supports regional industries, such as tourism.

The Batalha HEU was one of the first projects in the country to obtain four certificates: ISOs 9001 (Quality), 14001 (Environment), 16001 (Social Responsibility) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety). It also supports a pioneering project, the Forest and CO² Recovery Program, the only Brazilian environmental program selected and presented at the World Congress of Large Dams, Hidro 2009, which was held in Lyon, France, in 2009.

The hydroelectric power plant construction created 1,200 direct and 3,600 indirect jobs, with many jobs going to local residents.

Because of the reservoir food area, FURNAS gave ew plots for farming and cattle breeding to 145 farming families that lived in the Buriti das Gamelas, Vista Alegre, Jambeiro and São Marcos rural settlements in the cities Paracatu and Cristalina. Some were transferred to a new company-owned settlement called Manacá.

FURNAS built 80 two-bedroom and 58 three-bedroom houses for the families, totaling 138 homes. Settlements in Cristalina also received two schools, three community centers, two ecumenical centers, two sports courts, four soccer fields and a church. Overall, FURNAS relocated 236 families during plant construction.

The company also opened and restored 255 km of local roads in Cristalina and Paracatu and built 12 new bridges. FURNAS also deployed 245 km of power transmission lines in the project area.


Technical Data


Reservoir

  • Normal operating level: 800 m
  • Maximum flood level: 801 m
  • Level of expropriation:
  • Minimum operating level: 785 m
  • Flooded area: 138.13 km² (800 m elevation) e 145.92 km² (801 m elevation)
  • Total volume: 1.781,61 hm³
  • Usable volume: 1.351,53 hm³


Water Intake

  • Sliding gates
  • Quantity: 1
  • Width: 41 m
  • Height: 51 m (total)
  • Manufacturer: Andritz Hydro Inepar


Spillway

  • Maximum Discharge: 1648 m³/s
  • Segmented gates
  • Quantity: 2
  • Width: 8,7 m (per span)
  • Height - 16.73 m
  • Manufacturer: Andritz Hydro Inepar


Powerhouse

  • Exterior and sheltered powerhouse
  • Generator units: 2
  • Rotation: 240 RPM
  • Total rated capacity: 26.25 MW


Turbines

  • Type: Kaplan
  • Manufacturer: Andritz Hydro Inepar


Generators

  • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Terminal voltage: 13.8 kV