| New projects
will be a tailrace development of the 900MW Arun 3 hydroelectric project and will feature four Francis type turbines. The project has been allocated to SJVN for 25 years on a BOOT basis. It is expected to be completed within four years once construction starts and will generate 2970 million units of electricity per annum.
Canadian updates A major construction milestone has been reached at
Rio Tinto’s Kemano T2 hydropower project in British Columbia with the tunnel boring machine breaking through and completing its journey. The Kemano T2 Project involves the development of a second tunnel to carry water into the Kemano Powerhouse, to ensure the long-term reliability of the power supply for Rio Tinto’s BC Works smelter in Kitimat. The TBM cut 7.6km through the rock in remote mountains over 30 months, completing the route for the 16km tunnel that was started in the early 1990s. “This is a significant milestone towards finishing the second tunnel and securing the long term reliability of hydropower for Rio Tinto’s smelter in Kitimat, which produces some of the world’s lowest carbon aluminium,” commented Kemano T2 Project Manager Alex Jones. “Boring this tunnel is a highly-skilled and technical feat that has been achieved in an extremely remote location that is only accessible by air or sea. We thank all of our partners who are supporting this important project – from our employees, to contractors, First Nations, government and community members. It will ensure our operations continue to make a significant contribution to British Columbia’s economy into the future. We look forward to celebrating the completion of the project next year.” The TBM used was a 1300 tonne Herrenknecht machine, which was named tl’ughus by the Cheslatta Carrier Nation after a legendary giant monster snake and is decorated with artwork by Haisla Nation students. It is 190m long and more than six metres in diameter. The tunnel will be filled up with water in the middle
of next year, with the project expected to be complete in the second half of 2022. In the province of Manitoba, utility Manitoba Hydro said in its 2020-21 annual report that its C$20million increase in net income was made possible by the 695MW Keeyask hydropower project under construction in northern Manitoba, and the 500kV Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project which was
completed in June 2020. This has been attributed primarily to higher extra provincial revenues due to new firm export sales contracts. The annual report also highlights the achievement of a significant milestone on the Keeyask project, with the generating station’s first unit being brought online on 16 February 2021 and connected to the Manitoba Hydro power grid. As with projects around the world, Manitoba Hydro says that despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the hydro project capitalised on the previous year’s progress to significantly advance construction. This allowed the first generating unit to be placed ahead of schedule, mitigating impacts on the project budget. The remaining six units are expected to be in-service during the 2021-22 fiscal year, with the last unit completed by March 2022. When complete, Keeyask will add 4400GWh of
hydroelectric generating energy to Manitoba Hydro’s system, which will be used to power future economic growth in the province and provide additional export sales opportunities to help keep rates lower than they would otherwise be for Manitobans. The Keeyask Project is being developed by the
Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership, a joint venture between Manitoba Hydro and four Manitoba First Nations — Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation, and Fox Lake Cree Nation.
Funding has also recently been approved for the construction of a new transmission line in Fort Providence and Kakisa in Canada’s Northwest Territories, connecting communities to the existing Taltson hydropower transmission system south of Hay River. It will help reduce diesel fuel consumption by approximately one million litres. The Government of Canada is investing C$45 million in this project through the Arctic Energy Fund, which supports energy security in northern communities. The Government of Northwest Territories is investing up to C$15 million. “Climate change is a serious challenge for our economy and for all levels of government. By partnering with Canada, local and Indigenous governments and organisations and communities on energy projects like the Fort Providence-Kakisa Transmission Line, the Government of Northwest Territories is taking action that will improve electricity reliability while reducing greenhouse gas emissions f
www.waterpowermagazine.com | November 2021 | 27
Above: The Upper Tamakoshi project in Nepal has recently been placed into operation. Image courtesy Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37
