1.
AERIAL VIEW: Salto Grande project
0.10

2.
GV: trucks drive past dam.
0.14

3.
SV: concrete being poured.
0.19

4.
GV: pre-constructed section lifted.
0.26

5.
SV: ZOOM OUT: workers on floor of dam
0.37

6.
SV AND GV: construction workers on steel
0.50

7.
GV: hydro-electric buildings (2 shots)
1.02

8.
GV PAN: project
1.17

9.
AERIAL VIEW: dam site
1.22



Initials RH/1625



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In South America one of the continent's most ambitious hydroelectric schemes is nearing completion. It's the Salto Grade project on the Uruguay River, which forms the border between Uruguay and Argentina.

SYNOPSIS: Planning for the project between Argentina and Uruguay began as far back as 1946, although work did not begin until 1964.

For both countries the project represents one of the biggest energy developments since the end of the Second World War. When finished, the dam is expected to produce an average of 700-million kilowatts of power each hour.

In the meantime it is providing a valuable source of employment for people which live in the town connected by the dam...Concordia in Argentina and Salto in Uruguay At present 4,8000 workers are involved in the project. They are employed by construction companies from the United States, Japan, the Soviet Union and Italy.

Electricity will be produced at the dam by 12 turbo-generators. It will be fed to both countries, each eventually taking half. But in the short term Argentina will take a bigger share.

The project, however, will provide more than power. The huge lake, formed behind the dam, will store water for irrigation and will be used for fishing. And the dam wall itself will carry a road and a railway. The project should be compile by the end of next year.