InfrAstructure & Development - Trademax Publications

Infrastructure
Construction of SA’s largest
hydropower station 'on track'
The Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme project in the Little Drakensberg has
made significant progress since its inception in 2004, steadily surging towards
its 2015 completion goal. When up and running, this hydropower station will
serve South Africa’s increasing demand for peak energy to meet the demand of
a growing industrial sector and a successful rural electrification programme.
The Braamhoek Joint Venture led by GIBB was
appointed for the design and construction
supervision of the project. The project, which
includes the 40m high RCC Braamhoek Dam and 50m high
CFRD Bedford Dam (both completed in 2011), two caverns,
four surge tanks, four drainage and ventilation shafts and
over 14km of tunnels, is set to be the largest hydropower
and tunneling project in Southern Africa.
Located in the Drakensberg mountain range between
Harrismith and Ladysmith, the Ingula Pumped Storage
Scheme aims to generate a capacity of 1 332MW with an
energy storage capacity of 21 000MWh (15.8 generating
hours).
According to Colin Logan, Technical Executive of Dams,
Hydropower and Underground Works at GIBB, the project
is on track with the last stages of excavation currently
taking place.
“We reached some important milestones in 2012,” says
Logan. “In January, we completed the excavation of the
Machine Hall. Concrete encasement of the first Draft Tube
was completed in August and the first Spiral Case was
installed shortly after. In December 2012, the second
Spiral Case was transported to the Erection Bay. This is
currently being prepared for installation.”
24
august 2013