Technical Visit

Foz Tua Dam

The Foz Tua Hydroelectric Project (owned by EDP) is located in the north region of Portugal, in the Tua River, an important right bank tributary of Douro River, close to its confluence into Douro River. The project includes a double curvature arch dam, which is 108 m high, an hydraulic circuit in the right bank, about 700 m long, composed of two independent tunnels, and a downstream powerhouse equipped with two reversible units with a rated output of 131 MW each one. The dam is provided with a surface spillway over its crest designed for a 5500 m3/s flood, with four 15.7 m wide spans controlled by radial gates, and a downstream plunge pool. In the dam site, the valley is quite narrow and the rock foundation is sound granite. Downstream, close to the confluence with the Douro River, the valley becomes wider and schistous rocks are present. The construction works began in 2011being currently in an advanced stage of development. The Hydroelectric Project will enter in operation in 2016.