Revised design improves the feasibility of Xalala, Guatemala

"The Xalala project is the largest hydro development currently proposed for the Chixoy river. It was considered by the National Electrification Institute (INDE) and the consultants involved in the master-plan, as one of the best potential projects for the country along with the Chulac project and Serchil. The second design downscaled some components of the scheme, whereas the original version, described above, calls for a dam with a maximum crest elevation of 290 m and 330 MW installed capacity at the associated powerplant. The main challenges for the Xalala project relate to ensuring the permeability of the reservoir and the possible existence of an active fault along the riverbed, which would pass through the dam axis. The component of the scheme which would have been constructed to divert the Azul river to the main dam in the original plan was discarded in the new project, as the costs would have been prohibitively high, and the economic benefits uncertain."