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project is set to encompass an extensive overhaul of the plant’s core components. Andritz’s scope of work entails the modernisation of all four 106MW Francis turbine generator units but will also encompass refurbishment of governors, the excitation system, the automation system, as well as all associated auxiliary systems.


Indian insights THDC India Limited has finalised a Memorandum of


Agreement for implementation of the 1200MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project in the Anjaw District of Arunachal Pradesh.


Highlighting the project’s contribution to the nation’s


green energy goals, the Kalai-II project is expected to generate 4852.95 million units annually, aligning with the national target of increasing the share of green energy in the overall energy mix. Meanwhile in Sikkim, flash flooding during October 2023 overtopped the Teesta V dam, resulting in significant damage and interruption to power production. Ongoing construction of the 500MW Teesta VI hydro project was also disrupted by the flooding.


While the Teesta Low Dam - III Hydropower Plant (TLDP-III) and TLDP-IV, both located in downstream West Bengal, did not suffer major damage, they were shut down due to heavy siltation brought by the floodwaters. No damage was reported in the Rangit valley, where NHPC’s Rangit IV power project and Rangit Power Station are situated.


Mexican shortages According to news reports from Reuters, frustrated


Mexico City residents have been protesting about water shortages as officials warn of “unprecedented” low supplies. One of Latin America’s largest cities, the area is home to over 21 million people and has been struggling after years of low rainfall blamed on climate change, along with unprecedented urban growth and outdated infrastructure. Protesters have allegedly broken into offices of


Mexico’s National Water Commission, while some residents say they have been without water for more than a month and others have started fighting over limited supplies. SACMEX, Mexico City’s water utility says that the Cutzamala System is the most stressed it has ever been. A network of pumping plants, dams, and other infrastructure, it provides water for more than six million people and was at 39.7% capacity at the end of January 2024, down from about 41% in December and 54% in 2023. According to atmospheric scientists from the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, the city’s depleted reservoirs won’t be able to refill until the summer months.


South African water supplies Amid water scarcity concerns experienced in some


parts of the province, reports issued by the South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in February has shown that the overall water storage capacity in KwaZulu-Natal was stable at 89.3%. The province’s main water supply, the Umgeni River, provides water to five dams. One of the largest in KwaZulu-Natal, the Albert-Falls Dam, has remained at 100% full capacity. Hazelmere Dam which provides


www.waterpowermagazine.com | March 2024 | 27


water to the province’s North Coast was slightly down at 82.8% which is still a significant improvement when compared to 2023, when during a similar period the dam stood at 55.5%.


While most of KwaZulu-Natal’s storage capacity


have recorded above average percentages, the DWS acknowledges that some communities are experiencing water shortages, and it will continue to work to find permanent solutions to the challenges. Measures being implemented include fast-tracking


the roll out of bulk water infrastructure projects, such as the raising of the Hazelmere Dam wall which was completed last year. Another project is the uMkhomazi Water Project which entails the construction of a new large dam on the uMkhomazi River, a 33km tunnel and pipelines to supply additional water to eThekwini and surrounding municipalities across the province. Concern has also been expressed over in the


Western Cape Province, where there has been a slight decline on the river catchments systems. “The sweltering high temperatures we have


experienced combined with high water usage in recent weeks has contributed to the slight decline of the dam levels in the province” says DWS Western Cape Provincial Head Bila-Mupariwa. He reiterated that South Africa is a water-scarce nation receiving insufficient and unreliable rainfall and called for renewed efforts to use water sparingly.


Below: Low reservoir levels in Mexico. Mexico city has been faced with unprecedented low water supplies © David Peinado Romero / Shutterstock.com


Above: Aerial view of Albert Falls Dam in South Africa


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