Guri Dam Powers 73% of Venezuela but Droughts Threaten Stability

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The mighty Guri Dam converts rushing water into electricity, supplying 73% of Venezuela's power needs with 50,000 gigawatt-hours each year.

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Standing 532 feet tall on the Caroni River, this concrete giant harnesses water force through modern turbines to generate 10,200 megawatts.

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ABB teams from Venezuela, Canada, and Switzerland upgraded the control systems to keep this power giant running smoothly.

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Fresh turbines and generators breathed new life into the facility in 2007, securing power production for three more decades.

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When drought hits Venezuela, the Guri Dam struggles - 2010, 2016, and 2019 saw widespread blackouts due to water shortages.

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Behind the power success lies a cost - the original village of Guri now rests underwater, permanently altered by the dam's creation.

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Critics mistakenly call it laser technology, but the dam works on basic water power principles backed by smart engineering.

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Global oil restrictions pushed Venezuela to think differently - making water power their prime energy source.

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The Guri Dam cuts oil dependence while fighting climate change, despite facing occasional water shortage challenges.

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