C.H. ó Central Hidroeléctrica Nuevo Imperial

This hydropower plant, with 3.97 MW of installed capacity capable of generating up to 33 GWh per year, is located 12.5km away from the Nuevo Imperial agricultural irrigation canal, which draws its water from the Cañete River (approximately 170 km south of Lima).

FACTS

Location

Cañete Province, Peru

Technology

Hydro

Producing electricity since

24 April 2012

Developer/owner

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure

Estimated annual generation

26 000 MWh

Total capacity

3.97 MW

C.H. ó Central Hidroeléctrica Nuevo Imperial is a hydroelectric power plant with an installed capacity of 3.97 MW, designed to generate up to 33 GWh/year of clean energy. It is located 12.5km away from the Nuevo Imperial agricultural irrigation canal, which draws its water from the Cañete River (approximately 170 km south of Lima).
The hydroelectric plant has been in commercial operation since April 2012, with an effective average power of 3.26 MW and an average generation of 26.53 MWh, displacing 18.652 tCO2e per year. The hydroelectric plant uses the waters of the Cañete River and in the low water season (May to October) it uses the waters of the 70 MMC Paucarcocha dam, which is regulated to keep the Cañete River above 14 m³/s.

Nuevo Imperial and its environment

The canal where the Nuevo Imperial was built functions exclusively as an irrigation system. The priority of water use is for agriculture and the National Interconnected Electric System (SEIN) collects the energy produced at Barra Cantera 220 kV. The energy is sold directly to the Peruvian state. The project has a minimum expected lifetime of 50 years.

The Nuevo Imperial power plant contributes to sustainable development by:

Helping SEIN to replace costly power generation from heavy fuel, diesel, coal and natural gas, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Hiring local labor for operations & maintenance.
Improving local education and technical training opportunities.
Purifying and cleaning irrigation water.
Facilitating access to electricity for local users.
Contributing to Peru’s fiscal accounts through tax payments.
Helping Peru improve its hydrocarbon trade balance through reduced imports of oil for use in electricity generation.

The Nuevo Imperial power plant also contributes to the maintenance of the 42-kilometer-long canal, that is also used by the agriculture sector in the region. The power plant also has invested in technology to enhance the distribution of water along the canal.