Interesting fact: the UHE Edgard de Souza was once called the Usina de Parnahyba. Today we stand before the UHE Edgard de Souza. It is in Santana de Parnaíba, São Paulo. This hydroelectric plant dams the Tietê River. It was the first to power São Paulo city.
Let’s dive into its history. Construction spanned from 1899 to 1901. The UHE Edgard de Souza officially opened on September 23, 1901. It was Light’s first hydroelectric plant in Brazil. It had the country’s first dam taller than 15 meters. Initially, it generated 2 MW. To maintain energy supply, it was expanded to 12.8 MW in 1912.
Think about the logistics. Machinery came from the United States. It traveled from New York to Santos by ship. Then, the Sorocabana Railway carried it to Barueri. Ox carts transported it to Santana de Parnaíba. The 20-month project employed 1,000 workers.
Do you know how Vila de Parnaíba got public lighting? It happened on April 10, 1904. The UHE Edgard de Souza made it possible.
The Light company needed to control the Tietê River’s flow. The UHE Edgard de Souza’s turbines used much water. So, they built a dam on the Guarapiranga River. This dam created the Guarapiranga reservoir. It began operating in 1908. It ensured enough water for the UHE Edgard de Souza.
In 1949, the plant was renamed UHE Edgard de Souza. This honored a company director. By 1952, it stopped generating power. It became a pumping station. It pumped water from the lower to the upper Tietê River. This helped generate electricity at the Henry Borden plant in Cubatão.
The pumping station closed in 1982. The current Edgard de Souza Dam replaced it. Three bottom gates and a lock were built. These increased the Tietê River’s flow capacity. This helped prevent floods in São Paulo. Today, it serves this function within EMAE’s hydro-energy complex.
The dam is part of the Empresa Metropolitana de Águas e Energia system. The dam is a gravity type. It is made of cyclopic concrete. It has a straight design and a free spillway.
The dam’s crest was raised. It went from 711.4 m to 717.6 m during the Serra Project. The original plant was replaced. The Edgard de Souza Pumping Station took its place. Later, in 1984, it was deactivated. The reversible unit moved to the Pedreira Pumping Station.
With São Paulo’s growing urbanization flood flows increased. In 1986, two segment gates were installed. They increased the flow rate to 3269 m3/s. There is room for a third gate. A lock portal was added. This allows for future navigation. The dam is 19 m high. Its crest stretches 275 m. The UHE Edgard de Souza stands as a testament to Brazil’s evolving energy landscape.