This project received a $4.5m Recovery Act grant from the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Wind and Water Power Program.
According to DOE, the low-flow turbine will increase renewable energy generation capacity at the Abiquiu facility by 22% – from 13.8MW to 16.8MW.
The new turbine will produce enough energy to power about 1,100 homes annually and will supply clean energy to Los Alamos County, including DOE’s Los Alamos National Laboratory.
DOE secretary Steven Chu said that the Abiquiu low-flow turbine hydropower project highlights the clean energy potential and local economic benefits that come with the environmentally responsible use of the nation’s rivers.
