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construction of the Air Cushion Surge Chamber at the San Gabán III hydroelectric project. The structure, executed by China International Water & Electric Corp (CWE), forms part of the hydraulic headrace system designed to regulate transient pressures. The chamber is a reinforced concrete structure measuring 92.4m in length and 18.5m in height, with 1.1m wall and slab thicknesses. The slab was executed in two stages: an initial 0.7m pour with embedded perimeter steel inserts, followed by a 0.4m layer to complete the section. The internal radius is 5.7m and the external radius 6.1m, with an overall geometry optimised for dynamic load distribution during flow oscillations.
For the second-phase slab works, ULMA
provided the MK tunnel carriage, a 60-ton mobile formwork unit incorporating two wheeled axles, integrated access platforms, and guardrails. The carriage enables sequential casting in 6m sections and combines formwork and support elements into a single structure. Its modular design and use of standard reusable components simplified assembly, transport, and repositioning within the confined work environment, the company said. The MK system employed 6mm steel panels
to achieve the required surface finish and dimensional tolerances. Concrete compaction was performed using 24 vibrators arranged in three rows. The formwork was advanced with two 3200kg towing winches. Each construction cycle lasted approximately 48 hours per section. After pouring, front molds were dismantled after 12 hours (3–4 hours operation time). At 24 hours, the formwork was lowered using 16 hydraulic jacks rated at 20 tons each, the internal components were removed, and the carriage was repositioned. Reinstallation and preparation for the subsequent pour required an additional 3–5 hours. The structure was completed within schedule, meeting the specified geometric tolerances and surface quality standards. The MK carriage allowed precise, repetitive operations under constrained access conditions, ensuring efficient execution of the concrete works for the Air Cushion Surge Chamber.
Sarawak
Sarawak sets 2030 target for full hydropower sustainability certification Sarawak plans to have all major hydropower plants in the state certified under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) by 2030, according to a government announcement. If achieved, Sarawak would be among the first jurisdictions in the world to certify its entire hydropower portfolio. The commitment was highlighted after Sarawak Energy received the certification plaque for the Bakun hydroelectric plant, which achieved Silver status under the HSS. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari
Tun Openg said the state aims to strengthen its position as a renewable energy leader in the region while upholding environmental and social standards. “Large-scale hydropower – when planned, developed, and operated responsibly – can deliver reliable and affordable energy while demonstrating strong sustainability outcomes,” he said in a statement delivered on his behalf by State Deputy Minister for Utility Datuk Ibrahim Baki at the International Conference on Dam Safety Management and Engineering. Sarawak Energy’s Murum hydroelectric
plant is among the projects targeted for HSS certification by the end of the decade. The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) described Sarawak’s plan as a major step toward portfolio-level sustainability certification. Executive Director João Costa said: “Sarawak Energy stands out as a true champion of sustainability, not only to ensure compliance or manage risk, but to lead with purpose and ambition. I’ve seen first-hand how their achievements are driven by a culture where sustainability is a shared purpose embraced by everyone.
“At HSA, we are proud to support Sarawak
Energy and other leading companies taking a portfolio-wide approach to certification and demonstrating how sustainability is the best path to long-term value.” The HSS is a global framework used to
measure and certify hydropower projects on environmental, social, and governance performance.
Bhutan
Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project inaugurated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck jointly inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in November, marking a major addition to Bhutan’s power generation capacity and a milestone in India–Bhutan energy cooperation. The run-of-the-river project is located on the Punatsangchhu River in Wangdue Phodrang district, Bhutan. It is the fourth major hydropower plant built with Indian financial and technical assistance, following Chukha, Kurichhu, and Mangdechhu projects. According to Bhutanese officials, the completion of Punatsangchhu-II will increase the country’s total installed hydropower capacity by about 40 per cent. The electricity generated will supply Bhutan’s domestic demand and enable exports of surplus power to India under existing bilateral agreements. Prime Minister Modi described the project as a “symbol of mutual trust and cooperation” between India and Bhutan. Both leaders said the project reinforces the two countries’ shared goal of clean energy development and regional energy integration.
During the visit, India also announced
an additional line of credit of approximately US$ 450m to support future hydropower and infrastructure projects in Bhutan. The initiative is expected to facilitate continued collaboration on projects such as the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I scheme, which remains under development. The Punatsangchhu-II project was developed with Indian funding and technical support under the inter-governmental model that governs hydropower cooperation between the two countries. Electricity from Bhutan’s hydropower projects is transmitted to India under long- term purchase agreements managed by both governments.
Officials said the plant is designed as a run- of-the-river facility, which limits environmental impacts compared to large reservoir-based projects. The project’s commissioning adds to the growing portfolio of hydropower assets that are central to Bhutan’s economy and India’s renewable energy supply. India currently imports over 1,500MW of electricity from Bhutan’s hydropower stations. The successful operation of Punatsangchhu-II is expected to further strengthen this energy exchange and contribute to both nations’ low- carbon development goals.
Canada Carney Government adds Inuit- owned hydropower project to Nation-Building Agenda Canada has added a slate of major clean- energy and northern infrastructure initiatives to the Major Projects Office (MPO), including Nunavut’s first Inuit-owned hydropower development and major transmission expansions in British Columbia and the Yukon. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the
projects as part of Ottawa’s second tranche of “nation-building” developments intended to accelerate clean-energy deployment, bolster northern resilience, and support Indigenous-led infrastructure. The Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydroelectric Project
(INP), to be built on the Kuugaluk River northeast of Iqaluit, has now been formally referred to the MPO. The project is being developed by the Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC) and is described by the federal government as “Nunavut’s first 100% Inuit-owned hydropower energy project.” Estimated at 15–30MW, the facility is designed to replace Iqaluit’s dependence on roughly 15 million litres of diesel annually, providing what the government calls “affordable, reliable, and emissions-free power.” The proposal includes a dam of approximately 50m in height and a powerhouse designed to serve the city’s full electrical load, with potential expansion to support home heating and future industrial demand. Federal ministers cast the referral as a
milestone for both Arctic sovereignty and Indigenous-driven clean-energy development.
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