Saltos del Nansa

ACCIONA
Projects
Energy
Hydraulic
Saltos del Nansa

Chain of four hydroelectric plants, which together have a combined capacity of 48.7 MW, capable of supplying clean energy to some 52,000 homes.

The so-called "Saltos del Nansa" comprise a chain of four sequential hydroelectric plants, with a total capacity of 48.7 MW, including 4 waterfalls. The first of these plants, at the base of the dam, regulates the chain (CH Peña de Bejo), feeding the rest of the plants which are run-of-the-river (CH Rozadio, CH Celis and CH Herrerías). These plants, commissioned between 1945 and 1952, can supply clean energy to some 52,000 homes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: River Nansa Valley , Cantabria, Spain
Capacity: 48.7 MW
River course: River Nansa

PEÑA DE BEJO PLANT

Capacity: 28.8 MW: Conventional hydroelectric plant (La Cohilla reservoir)
Operational since 1974: Double-runner, double-injector Pelton turbine. Head: 328 m.
La Cohilla Reservoir: , with a capacity of 11.8 million m3 and a 116-m high double-curvature arch dam with a crest 284 m long and 2 m wide

ROZADIO PLANT

Capacity: 12.6 MW: Run-of-the-river plant
Operational since 1945: One unit has a double horizontal runner, double-injector Pelton turbine. The other unit is a Francis turbine
Maximum gross head: 202.13 m for the Pelton turbine and 204.57 m for the Francis turbine

CELIS PLANT

Capacity: 6.3 MW
Run-of-the-river plant: Operational since 1952. Two horizontal-shaft Francis turbines located on both sides of a single alternator
Maximum gross head: 102 metres

HERRERIAS PLANT

Capacity: 9 MW
Run-of-the-river plant: Operational since 1950. Two horizontal-shaft Francis turbines
Maximum gross head: 65 m
Ownership: ACCIONA

HIGHLIGHTS

This plant makes maximum use of the hydroelectric potential of the River Nansa
The La Cohilla dam was the highest in Spain and the third highest in Europe when it was built (1950).