Construction | Site C moves on
BC Hydro has confirmed that the commencement of reservoir filling for the Site C dam project in Canada is slated to stay on schedule, with the process set to kick off this year as originally planned. Despite initial considerations to accelerate reservoir filling by a year and commence last fall, BC Hydro faced critical tasks that demanded completion prior to initiating the process. Crucial work areas, such as the approach channel, spillway gates, and powerhouse intake gates, still require attention. The onset of winter weather and colder conditions presented a narrowing window of opportunity for the safe initiation of reservoir filling. Consequently, BC Hydro has made the decision to adhere to the existing project timeline. Work on the Site C project will continue to advance on schedule and be ready for filling to begin next fall. The project remains on-track to achieve first power in 2024, have all six generating units in-service by 2025, and be completed within the approved budget. Commencing construction in July 2015, the Site C
project has made substantial progress, and is now over 80% complete. Key project components, including the earthfill dam, Highway 29 realignment, two 500kV, 75km transmission lines, and a new substation, have already been successfully executed.
SMEC continues involvement in Baleh Sarawak Energy Berhad’s Baleh hydroelectric project,
a cornerstone of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) initiative, remains on course for success, with SMEC playing a key role in its realization. Located in Sarawak, East Malaysia, this ambitious project is poised to transform the region’s energy landscape, offering economic growth and job opportunities. With a history dating back to 2015, SMEC has had significant involvement in the Baleh HEP, contributing to the critical phases, including tender design and evaluation, providing a sturdy foundation for the project’s progress. The Baleh HEP’s infrastructure includes a 188m-high
Below: Three EC210D excavators from Volvo Construction Equipment played a central role in delivering the Nam Cum Hydropower Project in Lai Chau Province in Northwest Vietnam
concrete-faced rockfill dam, a surface power plant featuring five 257MW Francis turbines, a radial gated spillway, diversion tunnels, pressure steel pipes, an intake structure, and a double circuit 500kV power transmission line connecting the electricity to Sarawak Energy Berhad’s grid. Complementing these features
are elements like a low-level outlet, jetty, bridges, and access roads linking Kapit town to the project site. SMEC’s contributions have gone beyond design, as
they now oversee the construction phase, reviewing the contractor’s design calculations and drawings. This scrutiny encompasses key project elements, including the two 12m diameter diversion tunnels, the concrete-faced rockfill dam, and a radial gated spillway capable of handling 16,500m3
/sec.
The Baleh project is projected to reach completion in 2028 and is anticipated to generate an 1285MW of renewable energy, marking a significant milestone in Sarawak’s energy journey.
Hydropower in Vietnam A new hydropower project in Vietnam is now onstream
thanks to three Volvo excavators that delivered the performance and reliability needed to meet the demanding construction timetable. Local dealer TCMP provided 24/7 support to keep the project on track, while Volvo’s advanced CareTrack program provided the insights and analytics to keep work optimized. Three EC210D excavators from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) played a central role in delivering the Nam Cum Hydropower Project in Lai Chau Province in Northwest Vietnam. The power plant entered operation ein 2023 after a three-year construction period managed by contractor North- West No.1 Heavy Construction Company, which purchased the Volvo excavators from local dealer TCMP. “This was a really important project for the local community because of long-running power outages in the area. The work was demanding, and the customer was looking for machines that could handle 14 to 16 hours a day, backed up with fast response from a local partner to keep uptime to a maximum. That’s why we recommended the EC210D models, and then installed a local service team to provide 24/7 support,” said Nguyen Huu Truong, Sales Manager TCMP. Harnessing power from the local water supply meant the contractor was also seeking machines that would minimize any impact to the surrounding environment, again making the EC210D an ideal choice. Not only did the machines deliver lower emissions output, but fuel use was also reduced compared to alternatives, meaning greater efficiencies and cost savings, said Volvo. For optimum uptime, North-West No.1 Heavy Construction Company also took advantage of Volvo CE’s CareTrack platform which is offered with all its machines. CareTrack is a telematics system that allows users to proactively manage service and maintenance to maximize uptime. It also offers the ability to monitor machine use to optimize operations, reduce fuel costs, and improve operator performance. As part of its National Energy Masterplan, Vietnam is diversifying its energy mix and targeting 15%-20% from renewables by 2030, and 80%-85% from renewables by 2050. Part of this plan includes a network of small and medium-sized hydropower plants as these are faster and simpler to install than alternatives such as solar or wind, and they can also contribute to peak capacity requirements. The Volvo CE EC210D excavators played a critical role in ensuring that the project process stayed ahead of schedule, helping to provide precious energy to the country.
14 | January 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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