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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 of Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station in Serbia  Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station (Romania) | |
| Location | Iron Gate Serbia Romania |
| Coordinates | 44°40′15″N 22°31′45″E |
| Construction began | 7 September 1964 |
| Opening date | 16 May 1972 |
| 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: 6 × 201 MW |
| Installed capacity | 2,371.8 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 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 1,165.8 MW[3] 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;[4] till March 2016 were modernised units 4 to 6.[5] Modernisation was finished in December 2023, the nominal capacity of each of the six units was increased from 174 MW to 201 MW. Units were upgraded with the help of Russian company Power Machines from Saint Petersburg, as well as their subcontractors with the participation of eleven domestic companies.[6]
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]
Gallery
Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and Josip Broz Tito signing the treaty that allowed for the construction process to begin, 30 November 1963
Foundations being laid on the Yugoslav side
Concrete slabs being thrown into the Danube to temporarily redirect the flow of water
Foundations being built on the Romanian side
Opened floodgates during construction
The foundations for the turbine and aggregates on the Romanian side
Engineers working on the turbine shaft on the Romanian side
Model of the power station made in Belgrade
Josip Broz Tito on the opening day, 16 May 1972
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