Panama awards hydro scheme TBM drives
Mar 2010
SELI news release
- Panama's electricity company, Electron Investment S.A.1, has awarded SELI a $US105 million contract for the design and construction of two headrace tunnels in the Chiriquí region to develop hydropower in the country.
-
Plan of the Pando and Monte Lirio TBM headrace drives
- The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract involves design and construction of the 5km long Pando tunnel using a 3.6m diameter EPBM and the 7.9km Monte Lirio tunnel using a 3.8m diameter EPBM. Works also include construction of two surge tanks, of 62m and 73m in height, and the precast concrete tunnel lining using 250mm thick segments.
- This contract is part of two new hydropower projects that will contribute to the development and utilisation of hydropower in Panama and provide the region and the republic with clean and renewable energy sources. The project will also increase employment in the area. The two hydropower projects, Pando and Monte Lirio, are expected to provide a total installed capacity of 83.3 MW and a firm capacity of 57.5 MW.
- The Pando hydropower plant will be built on the Chiriquí Viejo River in western Panama. It will consist of a 25m high water-edge-type dam with a small reservoir and will generate an installed capacity of 32 MW. Water from the reservoir will be conducted to a powerhouse and, after passing through the turbines, it will return to the river. The Monte Lirio plant will use water coming from the Pando plant to provide 52 MW of energy. The two plants are expected to be commissioned in July 2012 and December 2012, respectively.
- Geology along the alignment comprises largely lahar and basalt and requires the application of EPB technology. Tunnel excavation is scheduled to begin in April 2010 and to finish in November 2012.
|
|
|
|
|
Add your comment
- Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and comments. You share in the wider tunnelling community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language professional.
