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44-451: The dam is part of a planned four power plant Madeira river hydroelectric complex, which will consist of two dams in Brazil (Santo Antônio and 3,750 MW Jirau Dam about 100 km upstream), a third on the border of Brazil and Bolivia (Guayaramerin), and a fourth station inside Bolivia (Cachuela Esperanza). Santo Antonio and Jirau Dam are operating, while the smaller upstream dams are still in

88-581: A consequence, there has not been strong environmental opposition to the implementation of the Madeira river complex. However, critics point out that if the fish ladders fail, "several valuable migratory fish species could suffer near-extinction as a result of the Madeira dams." The strictly protected Serra dos Três Irmãos Ecological Station was reduced in size from 89,847 hectares (222,020 acres) to 87,412 hectares (216,000 acres) in September 2011 to allow for

132-578: A deep and lasting bitterness due to this loss, and the Bolivian military continues to build and maintain an open ocean navy in Lake Titicaca , awaiting an eventual recovery of access to the sea. The Madeira river complex presents an opportunity for Bolivia because all of the hydroelectric dams would feature ship locks capable of raising and lowering oceangoing vessels. If the project is completed, "more than 4,000 km of waterways upstream from

176-542: A dozen or more of which are for riverine patrol. Seagoing vessels, including the American-made PR-51 Santa Cruz de la Sierra and several other vessels sail the oceans with the Bolivian flag with the granted permission of the "Capitanias Navales" Naval Registration Office. The Libertador Simón Bolívar , a ship acquired from Venezuela , used to sail from its home port in Rosario, Argentina on

220-417: A fourth station inside Bolivia. Two of these, Santo Antonio and Jirau, are already operating, while the smaller upstream dams are still in the planning stages. In part due to the 2001–2002 power shortage in Brazil, construction of both dams was accelerated in 2009. The total estimated cost of the two facilities currently under construction is $ 15.6 billion ($ 8 billion for Jirau), including about $ 10 billion for

264-579: A free-trade zone and space for economic activities" along with the option to "build a Pacific Coast annex for the Bolivian navy school" in a 99-year deal . The Navy is organized into ten naval districts with flotilla headquarters in Guaqui , Guayaramerín , Puerto Suárez , Riberalta , and San Pedro de Tiquina and bases in Puerto Busch , Puerto Horquilla , Puerto Villarroel , Trinidad , and Rurrenabaque . Naval vessels include several dozen boats,

308-465: A maximum discharge of 82,000 m /s (2,895,803 cu ft/s). The run-of-the-river dam's power station contain 50 x 75 MW bulb turbines for a total installed capacity of 3,750 MW. The reservoir created by the dam has a surface area of 258 km (100 sq mi) of which 135 km (52 sq mi) is the original riverbed. Bulb turbines are a variation of the Kaplan turbine, with

352-503: A reservoir with a surface area of 271 km (105 sq mi), of which 164 km (63 sq mi) is the previously existing river channel. The dam's power plant consists of 50 Kaplan-bulb turbines , each capable of 71.6MW (total installed capacity of 3,580 MW) divided into four sets. The original project called for 44 turbines, but this was expanded in 2013. The power plant have a maximum discharge of 24,684 m/s (871,707 cu ft/s). The dam have two spillways ; one on

396-581: A result of the Madeira dams." Jirau's environmentally friendly design earned the plant registration under the " Clean Development Mechanism " (CDM) program of the United Nations . Jirau is the largest renewable energy plant to earn the CDM, which is awarded to innovative projects that help to solve environmental problems such as climate change. Construction on the dam was halted on 18 March 2011 as workers rioted; setting fire to buses and destroying part of

440-635: A similar number of troops including paramilitaries. Marine personnel are either part of Task Force Blue Devils or are stationed in various naval bases. There are currently seven infantry battalions which are distributed as follows: The Policía Militar Naval or PMN is a speciality similar to its counterpart to the Army's Military Police , carrying out operations such as Important Persons Protection (IPP), Physical Security (SEF), or Patrol Facility (PAT) with additional duties such as Signals or naval protocol. The principal component are four police battalions: Alongside

484-643: Is part of the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America , an effort by South American governments to integrate the continent's infrastructure with new investments in transportation, energy, and communication. The Santo Antônio Dam is designed as a run-of-the-river hydroelectric dam, power plant, and factory. The dam itself is 13.9 m (46 ft) tall and 3,100 m (10,171 ft) long, creating

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528-914: The River Paraná . In 1993 the Navy was formally renamed the Naval Force ( Fuerza Naval ) and moved with the Bolivian Army and Air Force as service branches of the Armed Forces of Bolivia . Most of the officers attend the Bolivian Naval Academy , graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Military and Naval Science, accredited by the Military University. Many naval officers later go on to further studies at

572-860: The War of the Pacific and the Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1904) , Bolivia established a River and Lake Force ( Fuerza Fluvial y Lacustre ) in January 1963 under the Ministry of National Defense. It consisted of four boats supplied from the United States and 1,800 personnel recruited largely from the Bolivian Army . The Bolivian Navy was renamed the Bolivian Naval Force ( Fuerza Naval Boliviana ) in January 1966, but it has since been called

616-531: The 41st in December 2015, and the last in December 2016. Most of the power is designed to be exported to south-eastern Brazil via the Rio Madeira HVDC system . The dam is part of a planned four power plant Madeira river hydroelectric complex, which will consist of two dams in Brazil (3,580 MW Santo Antônio Dam at the city of Porto Velho and Jirau), a third on the border of Brazil and Bolivia, and

660-532: The Bolivian Navy ( Armada Boliviana ) as well. It became a separate branch of the armed forces in 1963. Bolivia has large rivers which are tributaries to the Amazon which are patrolled to prevent smuggling and drug trafficking. Bolivia also maintains a naval presence on Lake Titicaca , the highest navigable lake in the world, which the country shares with Peru . Landlocked Bolivia has not reconciled with

704-761: The Bolivian Navy extensively patrols Lake Titicaca and 5,000 miles of navigable rivers, intercepting smugglers, delivering supplies to remote rural areas and rescuing people and livestock during floods. In addition to local duties, the Bolivian Navy trains with the Argentine Navy and has taken part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Haiti . The Bolivian Navy has a total of 173 vessels with many stationed on Lake Titicaca : Patrol boats : Other ships: The Bolivian Naval Force retains about 2,000 naval infantry personnel and marines . As of 2011 ,

748-484: The Jirau and Santo Antonio dam claim that many legal criteria were rubber-stamped before all questions from impacted groups had been addressed. The dam's social impacts received the majority of substantive criticism (see below). However, environmental groups noted that the fast track approval for the Madeira dams sets a dangerous precedent. Brazilian law allows for expedited licensing for eco-friendly projects described by

792-429: The Jirau and Santo Antonio dam claim that many legal criteria were rubber-stamped before all questions from impacted groups had been addressed. The dam's social impacts received the majority of substantive criticism (see below). However, environmental groups noted that the fast track approval for the Madeira dams sets a dangerous precedent. Brazilian law allows for expedited licensing for eco-friendly projects described by

836-429: The Jirau and Santo Antonio dams are run-of-the-river projects, neither dam impounds a large reservoir. Both dams also feature significant environmental re-mediation efforts. As a consequence, there has not been strong environmental opposition to the implementation of the Madeira river complex. However, critics point out that if the fish ladders fail, "several valuable migratory fish species could suffer near-extinction as

880-682: The Worldwatch institute as "kindler, gentler dams with smaller reservoirs, designed to lessen social and environmental impacts." The Worldwatch Institute insists that no project should "fast-track the licensing of new dams in Amazonia and allow projects to circumvent Brazil's tough environmental laws". The most frequent objection is that the dam builders failed to adequately consult with indigenous peoples, as required by law. The Brazilian government indigenous protection foundation FUNAI predicts that there may be un-contacted indigenous populations in

924-566: The Worldwatch institute as "kindler, gentler dams with smaller reservoirs, designed to lessen social and environmental impacts." The Worldwatch institute insists that no project should "fast-track the licensing of new dams in Amazonia and allow projects to circumvent Brazil's tough environmental laws". The most frequent objection is that the dam builders failed to adequately consult with indigenous peoples, as required by law. The Brazilian government indigenous protection foundation FUNAI predicts that there may be un-contacted indigenous populations in

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968-711: The basin or region where they operate: The Marine component of the FNB originated with the creation of the Marine Battalion Almirante Grau in the early 1980s. This force consisted of 600 men based on Tiquina Naval Base on Lake Titicaca. The name was later changed to Marine Battalion Independence, based in Chua Cocani (Not to be confused with the Independence Regiment (RI17) of the Bolivian army). At present this marines maintain

1012-577: The battalions are a number of MP companies in various naval bases. Regaining access to the South Pacific Ocean is seen as part of the national narrative for Bolivia. Despite it being part of the national narrative, aspirations to negotiate access to the ocean with Chile ultimately failed following an International Court of Justice ruling . Sailors of the Bolivian Navy yearn for access to the sea and describe its current navy as experiencing locked-in syndrome ( enclaustramiento ). Despite this,

1056-428: The civil engineering and power plants, and $ 5 billion for ship locks, transmission lines, and environmental re-mediation. The Madeira river hydroelectric complex is part of the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America , an effort by South American governments to integrate the continent's infrastructure with new investments in transportation, energy, and communication. Construction on

1100-434: The dam's reservoir. Bolivia has been a landlocked country since it lost its coastline to Chile in the war of the pacific in 1884. Many Bolivians feel a deep and lasting bitterness due to this loss, and the Bolivian military continues to build and maintain an open ocean navy in Lake Titicaca , awaiting an eventual recovery of access to the sea. The Madeira river complex presents an opportunity for Bolivia because all of

1144-569: The dams in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru would become navigable." Hence, if the project is completed, both Bolivian commercial vessels and the Bolivian navy would have access to the open ocean, and lucrative sea lanes, for the first time in 120 years. The body of the Brazilian environmental activist Nilce de Souza Magalhães, also known as Nicinha, was found on 21 June 2016 in the hydro-power dam's lake of Jirau. Nicinha, leadership of MAB in Rondônia

1188-584: The first time in 120 years. Jirau Dam The Jirau Dam is a rock-fill dam with an asphalt-concrete core, in the Madeira River in the state of Rondônia , Brazil. The dam's hydroelectric power stations have 50 turbines each 75 MW resulting total installed capacity of 3,750 MW. The power plant's first unit was commissioned in September 2013, the 16th in November 2014, 24th in February 2015,

1232-399: The hydroelectric dams would feature ship locks capable of raising and lowering oceangoing vessels. If the project is completed, "more than 4,000 km of waterways upstream from the dams in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru would become navigable." Hence, if the project is completed, both Bolivian commercial vessels and the Bolivian navy would have access to the open ocean, and lucrative sea lanes, for

1276-514: The loss of its coast to Chile , and the Navy exists to keep the hope alive of recovering its coast by cultivating a maritime consciousness. The Bolivian Navy takes part in many parades and government functions, but none more so than the Día del Mar (Day of the Sea) in which Bolivia, every year, re-vindicates its claim for an unspecified sovereign access to the sea. Bolivia claims the country had access to

1320-439: The main differences being that bulb turbines are installed horizontally and are generally considered to be slightly more efficient. The power plant is constructed by Energias Sustentáveis do Brasil and Brazilian company Camargo Correa SA. Brazilian law requires water impoundments to undergo a very thorough approval process to ensure that each project meets environmental, social, political, and safety criteria. However, critics of

1364-443: The main section and an auxiliary on the southern abutment. Both spillways have a combined maximum discharge of 84,000 m/s (2,966,432 cu ft/s) to control reservoir levels. The dam also supports two fish ladders and a shipping lock . Brazilian law requires water impoundments to undergo a very thorough approval process to ensure that each project meets environmental, social, political safety criteria. However, critics of

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1408-448: The planning stages. In part due to the 2001-2002 power shortage in Brazil, construction of both dams was accelerated in 2009. The total estimated cost of the two facilities currently under construction is $ 15.6 billion ($ 7 billion for Santo Antônio), including about $ 10 billion for the civil engineering and power plants, and $ 5 billion for ship locks, transmission lines, and environmental re-mediation. The Madeira river hydroelectric complex

1452-423: The power stations and spillway. The length of the entire dam is 1,100 m (3,609 ft) while the embankment section is 800 m (2,625 ft). The embankment dam is arched, 63 m (207 ft) tall and has an asphalt -core. Its structural volume is 2,000,000 m (70,629,333 cu ft) of which 17,000 m (600,349 cu ft) is asphalt. The dam's spillway consists of 21 gates and has

1496-481: The project was temporary halted in March 2011, February 2012 and April 2013 due to worker riots or strikes. The Brazilian Development Bank approved an additional US$ 1.6 billion for the project in September 2012. The extra funding will add six more 75 MW bulb turbine-generators to the power station (a total of 50) and pay for transmission lines. The Jirau Dam is a combination embankment dam with concrete sections for

1540-487: The region that will be affected by the Madeira complex. Most of the affected populations are nearest to the Jirau dam. Other issues related with traditional Amazonian fishermen and little peasants, who are suffering with constant floodings, which, according to them, is caused by the dam. Because both the Jirau and Santo Antonio dams are run-of-the-river projects, neither dam impounds a large reservoir. Both dams also feature significant environmental re-mediation efforts. As

1584-487: The region that will be affected by the Madeira complex. Most of the affected populations are nearest to the Jirau dam. The threat to uncontacted Indians has motivated both internal and external criticism of ESBR, the contractor responsible for building the Jirau dam. A coalition of non-governmental organizations called for dam construction to be halted, and questions were raised during annual meeting of GDF Suez. After more than 10 years in operation, no one single Indian tribe

1628-732: The sea at independence in 1825 . In the Boundary Treaty of 1866 between Chile and Bolivia the involved parties agreed on a border line that established a sea access for Bolivia recognized by Chile. In the War of the Pacific (1879–1883) Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia , and conquered the Litoral Department which included all of the Bolivian coastline. The recovery of its coast is a matter of honor in Bolivia, influencing many modern-day political actions and trade decisions. In 2010, Peru granted Bolivia "dock facilities,

1672-602: The serious impacts of predatory fishing activity on the Madeira River . The complaints generated two civil investigations being conducted by the Federal Prosecutor's Office and the State Prosecutor's Office on the non-implementation of the Program of Support to Fishing Activity and another of criminal character, because of data manipulation in monitoring reports. His killer, Edione Pessoa da Silva, who

1716-431: The undergraduate and graduate level. Argentina's Naval Military Group in Bolivia advises on naval strategy and tactics. Many Bolivian officers train in ocean sailing on Argentinian seagoing naval ships. The Force has several Special Operations units to address both internal and external threats. The Naval Force covers the extensive Bolivian inland waterways divided between the following Naval Districts which are named after

1760-483: The worker housing. Wages and the treatment by security officials was attributed to the rioting. Additional security personal had to be sent to the site and construction was halted. Workers went on strike at Jirau and Santo Antonio in April 2013 after a salary increase proposal was rejected. Bolivia has been a landlocked country since it lost its coastline to Chile in the war of the pacific in 1884. Many Bolivians feel

1804-495: Was daughter of rubber extractors who came from the Brazilian state of Acre to the city of Abuna (near Porto Velho ) in Rondonia , where she lived almost fifty years and was evicted along with other fishers due to the construction of the dam. The encampment where they had lived had no access to clean water or electricity. Nicinha made several complaints over the years, attending public hearings and events, including, pointed out

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1848-593: Was found in the region impacted by Jirau dam. Moreover, federal prosecutors are suing ESBR ( Energia Sustentável do Brasil ), the company responsible for the dam, the Brazilian Institute of Environment (IBAMA) and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) for the non-accomplishment of some of the conditions previewed by the environmental license and for the indemnification for losses on the traditional fishers' revenues. Because both

1892-529: Was in prison after confessing to murder Nicinha, escaped from the State Penitentiary "Edvan Mariano Rosendo", located in Porto Velho (RO) in April 2016. Bolivian Naval Force The Bolivian Navy ( Spanish : Armada Boliviana ) is a branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia . As of 2018, the Bolivian Navy had approximately 5,000 personnel. Although Bolivia has been landlocked since

1936-450: Was missing since 7 January 2016. Her body was found only 400 meters away from where she used to live. Her body was found by the workers of the dam, her hands and feet were tied by a rope and tied to a rock. She was known in the region for the struggle in defense of the affected populations, denouncing human rights violations committed by the consortium responsible for the Jirau power plant, called Energia Sustentável do Brasil (ESBR). Nicinha

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