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mitigation for Lachlan communities do not go away. We know there’s a drought knocking on our door threatening the water security of towns across NSW which is why we are reviewing our strategies as a priority,” Minister Jackson remarked. Minister Jackson also criticized the previous government for dedicating resources to business cases rather than tangible drought preparedness efforts. She highlighted the NSW Government’s new approach, which aims to adopt a comprehensive strategy to safeguard against uncertainties and address the diverse needs of the environment, communities, and farmers. To involve the public in the decision-making
process, the NSW Government plans to seek feedback on its proposed actions through the draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy.
Switzerland
Renovation complete at Grande Dixence hydroelectric project Grande Dixence SA marked a historic milestone on October 20, 2023, with the official inauguration of the fully refurbished Fionnay and Nendaz power stations and the penstock connecting the Lac des Dix reservoir to the Rhone plain. Grande Dixence, which has been a cornerstone of Switzerland’s electricity generation for nearly six decades, underwent a comprehensive renovation over a six-year period, gradually resuming operations at the beginning of the year. The project involved a significant overhaul and upkeep of the entire downhill conduit connecting Lac des Dix to the Rhône plain. Grande Dixence SA, along with its shareholders, has allocated a substantial investment of CHF 240 million. Michael Wider, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grande Dixence SA, underscores the importance of this endeavor, stating, “In order to uphold our commitment to safeguarding the nation’s electricity supply for the foreseeable future, it was our duty to invest in the preservation of the power generation infrastructure handed down to us by our predecessors.” The initial phase involved a comprehensive analysis of the various components comprising the downhill route, leading to the identification of necessary renewal, repair, and restoration initiatives. This was subdivided into 89 distinct sub-projects and spanned from 2016 to 2023. According to Beat Imboden, Director of Grande Dixence SA, “Through the extensive efforts undertaken, Grande Dixence continues to fulfill its critical role as a foundational asset capable of swiftly injecting substantial power into the electricity grid, thereby upholding the crucial equilibrium between electricity supply and demand.”
Each of the six generating units at Grande
Dixence’s two power stations, Fionnay and Nendaz, has undergone a comprehensive
retrofit, including the installation of new valves, turbines, alternators, automatic control systems, and auxiliary services. The simultaneous execution of various sub-projects demanded meticulous coordination, necessitating the implementation of innovative solutions to meet ambitious deadlines. This was particularly evident during the phases when the facilities were being brought back into service, even before the entirety of the work was completed. Commencing from the start of 2023, the generating units have been systematically reintegrated into operation, ensuring their contribution to Switzerland’s electricity supply, especially during the crucial winter period. Both plants are anticipated to be fully operational once more by the conclusion of the winter season in 2023-2024. The penstock, connecting Lac des Dix to the Rhône through the Fionnay and Nendaz power stations, has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. Specifically, the overhead segment of the penstock, spanning 850 meters between Péroua and Condémines, has been completely replaced, while the anti-corrosion protection of the subterranean portions has been renewed. Additionally, the seven main valves along the downhill line have been subject to refurbishment. The safety valves at Louvie and Péroua, situated at the inception of the penstocks, have been substituted, and substantial renovation work has been performed on the valves at the entry points of the water supply galleries at the Grande Dixence dam and the Fionnay reservoir. Given the substantial size of these valves, measuring three meters in diameter, both the disassembly and installation procedures, as well as the logistical aspects, posed considerable challenges, further compounded by the remote, high-altitude locations of these sites. The entire downhill line was reopened at the beginning of September 2022, enabling water to be supplied to the generating plants. A distinctive aspect of the Grande Dixence complex is the presence of a secondary conduit connecting Lac des Dix to the Rhône lowlands. This channel directs water to the Bieudron power station, which stands as Switzerland’s most formidable hydroelectric facility, boasting an impressive capacity of 1,200 MW. Notably, during the renovation process, all the water stored in the Grande Dixence dam remained available for harnessing, thereby fueling the turbines at the Bieudron plant.
Nigeria GE Vernova completes key commissioning for Zungeru GE Vernova’s Hydro Power business has successfully completed the commissioning of four 175MW Francis hydropower turbines and generators at Nigeria’s Zungeru project in Niger State. This development marks a significant milestone for the Zungeru project, located along the Kaduna River, and establishes it as Nigeria’s
6 | December 2023 |
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second-largest hydropower plant with a total capacity of 700MW. The Zungeru project holds the promise of contributing to approximately 10% of Nigeria’s domestic electricity requirements, providing a substantial boost to the country’s energy needs with a focus on sustainability and reliability. Beyond electricity generation, the project will play a vital role in flood control and support for regional irrigation efforts. The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company China National Electrical Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) selected GE Vernova to design, supply, supervise installation, and commission the four hydropower units. Furthermore, the Zungeru project has received essential investment support from the Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) of China. Brian Selby, Hydro Power Asia Leader at
GE Vernova, noted the project’s significance, stating, “Nigeria is gifted with large rivers and natural falls that create opportunities for hydropower development. As the Government of Nigeria continues to pursue the expansion of generation capacity and extend the capability of its power grid, we are happy to help take advantage of the country’s water reserves to meet its increasing demand for sustainable, reliable, and efficient power. This project will have a wide-reaching impact on the country’s energy landscape.”.
UK
Arup and ILF join forces to enhance pumped storage projects Arup and ILF Consulting Engineers have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening pumped storage projects in the UK. These projects include Coire Glas, Glenmuckloch, and up to 13 additional schemes in the pipeline. This partnership marks a significant development in the hydropower sector in the UK, bringing both capacity and valuable experience to support the country’s net-zero energy transition. According to Dan Saville, Energy, Water and Resources Leader at Arup UKIMEA: “Arup and ILF have a strong record of design excellence for major projects, and a tried and tested relationship working collaboratively on challenging projects. We are excited to continue working with ILF in developing a portfolio of major hydropower projects including supporting current contracts for, Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage OE role and the Coire Glas Strabag bid.” The collaboration between Arup and ILF combines Scottish project delivery with expertise in hydropower. Arup’s experience in delivering major projects in Scotland, such as the Queensferry Crossing, offers valuable insights into funding, consenting, delivery, and operational resilience for projects of this scale. ILF Consulting Engineers also bring a wealth
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