El Guri Dam: Venezuela's Massive Andean Hydroelectric Project

El Guri Dam (Simón Bolívar Hydroelectric Plant) on the Caroní River in Bolívar State, Venezuela, is a premier Andean hydro project:

• Type: Concrete gravity/arch dam.
• Height: 162 m (531 ft).
• Reservoir: 4,500 km² (Lake Guri), 135 km³ capacity.
• Installed Capacity: 10,235 MW (3rd largest globally at completion).
• Generation: ~70% of Venezuela's electricity.
• Construction: 1963–1978 (Phase I), 1986 (Phase II).

Impacts: Flood control, navigation, fisheries, tourism. Controversies: Displacement, biodiversity loss (unique tepui ecosystems), sedimentation, maintenance neglect during crisis.

Other Andean hydro projects: Coca Codo Sinclair (Ecuador, 1,500 MW), Ituango (Colombia, 2,400 MW), Mantaro (Peru), Ralco (Chile).