RC115 NovDec 2024 - Magazine - Page 12
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
BURUNDI, AFRICA
JIJI & MULEMBWE
HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
SCOTLAND, U.K.
CRUACHAN HYDROPOWER STATION
EARLIER THIS YEAR, STANTEC supported Drax in gaining approval from the Scottish Government to boost the generating capacity of the existing Cruachan pumped storage hydropower
station.
Deep inside Ben Cruachan Mountain in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, the power station’s turbine hall houses four generating units. The power station was originally commissioned in 1965,
with Unit 1 and Unit 2 undergoing upgrades in the early 2000s. Now, the final two units (3 and
4), will also be upgraded. These efforts are expected to boost the generating capacity of the
plant by more than 40 megawatts (MW) to a total of 480MW.
“This project will enable the units to not only generate more power but also increase their
operating flexibility and efficiency,” says John Ord, Stantec’s UK and Ireland business director
for energy. “This is a vital futureproofing scheme supporting the UK’s energy transition, and
we’re delighted to be so deeply involved with the future of Cruachan.”
Stantec’s environmental and consenting teams worked closely with Drax to prepare a comprehensive application for Section 36 consent. This took the environmental constraints of the
location into account, as well as its unique heritage.
As the turbine hall is an A-Listed building, Stantec coordinated an application for Listed Building Consent which was granted by Argyll and Bute Council. Stantec’s planning and heritage teams
engaged thoroughly with Historic Environment Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council ensuring that
the submitted proposals were acceptable to both bodies. The firm also hosted a public consultation event to present the proposals for the upgrade project to local communities.
“The plans were met with a resoundingly positive reaction,” adds Lynsey Fraser, planning
director at Stantec. “People were very pleased to learn Drax is investing in the future of the
power station and increasing efforts to generate and provide more flexible, sustainable power
to tens of thousands of homes.
In 2023, Stantec supported Drax in gaining consent for the separate Cruachan Expansion
Project. The planned new underground pumped storage hydropower station will be adjacent to
the existing station. Stantec’s interdisciplinary teams provided the full range of technical, environmental, planning and consenting, and design services in support of the application.
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RENEW CANADA – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
bution d’Eau et d’Électricité (REGIDESO) AECOM is playing
a pivotal role in the development of the Jiji and Mulembwe
hydropower project in Burundi. REGIDESO’s mission is the
collection, treatment and distribution of water, the production and distribution of electricity and the marketing
of these products in urban centres and centres deemed
important by its Board of Directors. This project is a significant step towards enhancing the country’s renewable
energy capacity and reducing its reliance on thermal power
generation. The Jiji and Mulembwe Rivers are harnessed to
generate a combined capacity of approximately 50 MW,
which is a substantial contribution to the national grid.
The project includes the construction of two separate hydropower plants on the Jiji and Mulembwe Rivers. Each plant features a dam, and a powerhouse equipped with modern turbines
and generators. The infrastructure also includes intake structures, penstocks, and spillways designed to manage water flow
efficiently and ensure the safety and longevity of the facilities.
AECOM is providing a comprehensive range of services
through project development and execution. The team is overseeing the entire project execution planning process including
design review on the plants, substations and transmission
lines, and monitoring equipment supply and system operation.
A critical aspect of AECOM’s role is monitoring the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plans and Environmental and Social Management Plans. This involves working
closely with local communities to address their concerns and
provide tangible benefits to the region, such as improved
infrastructure and job opportunities.
In addition, AECOM is supervising and controlling construction works, ensuring material conformity and quality control, and
overseeing performance testing both on individual units and
the overall project prior to commissioning—making sure that
all installations meet the required standards. The scope also
involves providing client support during the warranty period,
including staff training to ensure smooth project operation.
AECOM’s comprehensive approach to project management
includes regular monitoring and reporting to track progress and
deliver all aspects of the project on time and within budget.
The Jiji and Mulembwe hydropower project will provide
Burundians with affordable, clean and reliable energy. This project will not only boost Burundi’s energy capacity but also set a
precedent for future hydropower developments in the region.
RENEWCANADA.NET
STANTEC, AECOM
AS OWNER’S ENGINEER to Régie de Production et de Distri-
