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The Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station (Romanian: Porțile de Fier I, Serbian: Ђердап I/Đerdap I) is the largest dam on the Danube river and one of the largest hydro power plants in Europe. It is located on the Iron Gate gorge, between Romania and Serbia.

Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station
Iron Gates seen from Kladovo
Location	Iron Gate Serbia Romania
Coordinates	44°40′15″N 22°31′45″E
Construction began	7 September 1964
Opening date	16 May 1972 (1972-05-16)
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Danube River
Height	60 m (200 ft)
Length	1,278 m (4,193 ft)[1]
Reservoir
Creates	Iron Gate I Reservoir
Total capacity	2.1 km3 (0.50 cu mi)
Catchment area	577,250 km2 (222,880 sq mi)
Surface area	104.41 km2 (40.31 sq mi)
Power Station
Turbines	Romania: 6 × 194.3 MW Serbia: 3 × 171 MW, 3 × 201 MW
Installed capacity	2,281.8 MW
Annual generation	Romania: 5.24 TWh Serbia: 5.65 TWh

The Romanian side of the power station produces approximately 5.24 TWh annually, while the Serbian side of the power station produces 5.65 TWh.[2] The discrepancy in power output between the two halves is due to the generating equipment. While Romania's equipment is newer and thus more efficient (thereby generating more power), it is proving more unreliable; resulting in increased downtime for maintenance/repairs, and consequently lower annual power output overall.[3]

History

The project started in 1964 as a joint-venture between the governments of Romania and Yugoslavia for the construction of a major dam on the Danube River which would serve both countries. At the time of completion in 1972, it was the 10th largest hydroelectric power stations in the world with twelve Kaplan turbines generating 2,052 MW, divided equally between the two countries at 1,026 MW each.[2]

The small inhabited island of Ada Kaleh was submerged during the construction.

Modernization

As the original turbines' 30 years lifespan came to an end, in 1998 the Romanian half of the dam started a program of modernization. As part of this program, the first of the turbines was stopped in 1999. By 2007 the program was completed and the Romanian half of the dam's operations were back to full capacity. The nominal capacity of each of the six units was increased from 171 MW to 194.3 MW, thus giving an installed capacity of 1,166 MW[4] and increasing the entire power generation capacity of the dam to 2,192 MW at the time. On the Serbian part of the dam, modernization started in July 2008;[5] so far Units 4 to 6.[6] The units are being^{[needs update]} upgraded with the help of Russian company Power Machines from Saint Petersburg, as well as their subcontractors with the participation of eleven domestic companies.

In addition to the upgrades, the Serbian side is planning on building a new, smaller power station, called Iron Gate III (Serbian: Ђердап III/Đerdap III).[7]

See also

• Iron Gate II Hydroelectric Power Station
• List of conventional hydroelectric power stations
• List of power stations in Romania
• List of power stations in Serbia
• Energy in Romania
• Energy in Serbia

References

External links

• Description (in Romanian)

На других языках

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- [en] Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station

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[fr] Barrage des Portes de Fer I

Le barrage des portes de Fer est une barrage hydroélectrique sur le Danube, construit dans les gorges du mème nom entre la Serbie et la Roumanie[1]. Sa puissance installée est de 2 160 MW[2].

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