| Europe


for the delivery of 0.44 TWh per year to Hydro’s Norwegian aluminium plants during the period from 2024-2038. Access to renewable power and modern technology enable Hydro to produce aluminium in Norway with a carbon footprint of about 75% less than the global average. Long-term power agreements at competitive prices are crucial for Hydro to continue to lead the way in low-carbon aluminium globally. The power contract will be part of Hydro Energy’s total power portfolio, which consists of its own annual hydropower production of 9.4 TWh and a long-term contract portfolio of around 10 TWh per year.


Poland In March 2023, the Polish Government introduced


a new law to make it easier for the development of pumped storage, and allows it to be integrated into decisions across multiple permitting authorities. Supported by this new streamlined authorisation process in Poland, the Polish utility PGE and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management are cooperating on the construction of a US$1.14billion project offering 750MW at the Mloty pumped storage power plant in a drive to support the national grid’s resilience and reliability.


Portugal Progress on the Alto Tâmega Hydroelectric Power Plant


remains on track as construction advances steadily. With civil works nearly finalized and electromechanical assemblies slated for completion by the end of 2023, the commissioning phase is on the horizon. The Alto Tâmega facility, boasting a capacity of 160MW, represents the final component of the Tâmega complex. This project includes two additional developments: Gouvães, an 880MW pumped-storage plant, and Daivões, contributing 118MW, both of which have been in commercial operation since 2022. The Alto Tâmega dam has now reached full completion, standing at 104.5m in height, with a concrete volume of 220,000m3


and a crest length of


335m. The dam’s construction was executed in 21 blocks, each subdivided into 2-meter-high segments, culminating in less than a two-year timeline, finalized by the close of 2022. Recent efforts have centered on the meticulous injection of construction joints during the spring, strategically timed to coincide with the cooling of the placed concrete. A significant milestone emerged in July with the


closure of the river diversion tunnel. In the forthcoming three months, a 28m-long concrete plug will take shape within the tunnel, ensuring permanent closure and maintaining the dam’s functionality. Throughout this period, river flow will persist through the dam’s bottom outlets. The Alto Tâmega reservoir, which will cover an area of 468 ha and have a volume of 132 hm3


, will then be


filled, providing the water needed for the production of renewable electricity at the Alto Tâmega power plant at the foot of the dam. The realization of the Alto Tâmega dam and its associated hydroelectric plant signifies the culmination of substantial effort by the interdisciplinary team at Iberdrola. A multifaceted endeavor involving licensing, engineering, construction oversight, commissioning,


environmental considerations, and community engagement has been meticulously managed to ensure timely execution, said the company, During the peak of construction, the Alto Tâmega


Hydroelectric Power Plant site saw nearly 1000 workers engaged in the project. Meanwhile, the ongoing electromechanical assembly of the power plant remains on schedule, with turbines fully assembled and generators in advanced stages of completion. As winter approaches and the reservoir is filled, the first synchronization of a unit to the grid is projected for January 2024, heralding the plant’s commercial launch in March 2024.


Scotland


At the end of July, Drax Group said it has been granted development consent by the Scottish Government for its project to construct a new underground pumped storage hydro plant at at its existing Cruachan facility in Argyll. The new plant, with an estimated cost of £500 million, is set to be a critical component in Scotland’s journey to achieve net zero emissions. The Scottish Government’s formal approval will see the expansion of the iconic ‘Hollow Mountain’ Cruachan Power Station, creating an underground plant that will enhance UK energy security through flexible generation while facilitating the integration of more wind power into the grid. The project is part of a broader £7 billion strategic investment plan by Drax in clean energy technologies between 2024 and 2030, which includes long-duration storage and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) projects, aimed at addressing climate change and bolstering national energy security. The new 600MW plant will be constructed adjacent


to the existing underground facility at Cruachan, effectively doubling the site’s total generation capacity to over 1GW. This expansion is expected to generate nearly 1000 jobs during its development phase, providing a significant boost to the local economy. Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, visited Drax’s Cruachan facility on the shores of Loch Awe and emphasized the need for an appropriate market mechanism for hydro power and other long-duration energy storage technologies. He called on the UK Government to take action, providing developers with the certainty required to build new pumped storage hydro plants. Yousaf stated that hydropower had great potential to play a significant role in achieving net zero emissions and ensuring a secure electricity supply across the UK. Drax Group CEO, Will Gardiner, hailed the approval as a major milestone in their plans to construct


Above: A poor winter season has led to a reduction in snowmelt across Italy for the second year in a row


Above: Alta Tamega, Portugal


Below: Cruachan dam, Scotland


www.waterpowermagazine.com | September 2023 | 23


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