Sykia Dam

39°18′47.98″N 21°24′46.67″E / 39.3133278°N 21.4129639°E / 39.3133278; 21.4129639PurposeRiver diversion, irrigation, powerStatusSuspendedConstruction began1996Owner(s)Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public WorksDam and spillwaysType of damEmbankment, earth-fillImpoundsAcheloos RiverHeight170 m (560 ft)Length397 m (1,302 ft)Dam volume12,000,000 m³ (16,000,000 cu yd)^[1]ReservoirTotal capacity502,000,000 m³ (407,000 acre⋅ft)Surface area12.8 km² (4.9 sq mi)Power StationTypeConventionalTurbines2 x 60 MW Francis-type (planned)Installed capacity120 MW (planned)

The Sykia Dam is a mostly constructed but unused earth-filled embankment dam on the Acheloos River along the border of Karditsa and Arta, Greece. The 170 m (560 ft) tall dam is part of the Acheloos River Diversion which is intended to divert a portion of the Acheloos west to irrigate 240,000–380,000 ha (590,000–940,000 acres) in the Thessaly plains. The project includes the Sykia, Messochora, Mouzaki and Pyli Dams along with a 17.4 km (10.8 mi) long channel.

The idea for the Sykia Dam and overall diversion project was first envisioned in the 1930s but a lack of funding precluded construction. Interest in the project was revived in 1984 and construction on the dam began in 1996. Over the next several years there was a series of legal battles that led to final construction stalling, most recently in 2005.^[2] Opponents of the scheme cite significant changes to the environment, flooding of villages and that the scheme will divert 600,000,000 m³ (490,000 acre⋅ft) of water annually from the Acheloss. Supporters call on the benefit to the lucrative cotton crops it will help irrigate and the dam's planned 120 MW hydroelectric power plant.^[3]

See also

• Energy in Greece
• Renewable energy in Greece

References