News Desk
World review in brief from Issue Six 2002…Chile offers BO contractChile's Ministry of Public Works is launching a tender to build and operate a US$104 million hydro complex. The contract is likely to be awarded by mid-2003.Consultants sought for rural electrification in GuineaConsultants are required for a project involving the decentralized rural electrification of Guinea, which was recently approved by the World Bank.Costa Rica prepares bidding rulesCosta Rica's State power company is preparing bidding rules for the construction of the 128 MW Pirris hydro project. Pre-qualification documents should be called for in February 2003.Niger invites bids for embankmentsAs part of a water supply project for irrigation in Nigeria, bids have been invited for the construction of three embankment dams in the Tahoua region.Him Urja seeks partnersHim Urja is looking for investors to join it in developing two small hydro projects schemes on the Nandakini river in the northern Indian State of Uttaranchal. The estimated cost of the projects is US$ 20.4 million.Sri Lanka seeks renewable energy programme consultantsConsultants are required for the implementation of a renewable energy project in Sri Lanka which was recently approved by The World Bank. The project is to provide electricity and socioeconomic improvements in rural areas.Thailand considers Salween scheme with MyanmarThailand is to hold talks with Myanmar over the joint development of a $ 5.5 billion, 5000 MW hydro plant on the Salween river along their common border. The plant would supply electricity to both countries.India's Uhl-III secures approvalThe Central Electricity Authority of India has approved the 100 MW Uhl-III hydro scheme. Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, which will undertake the project, has issued a tender for the construction of a headrace tunnel. Neuquen to auction hydro projectArgentina's Neuquen province is auctioning a 25-year concession to build and operate the 228 MW Chihuido II hydro project on the Neuquen river. Endesa Chile to sell plantPower utility Endesa Chile has announced plans to sell its 172 MW Canutillar hydro plant. Endesa expects the sale and other related financial transactions to bring in revenue of between US$ 600 and 700 million.First unit begins commissioning at GoldisthalThe first pump-turbine unit at the 1060 MW Goldisthal pumped-storage project in Thuringia, Germany, is now starting trial operation. The start of commercial operation is scheduled for January next year.NHPC secures NEXI coverIndia's National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has received a Yen 18.24 billion (US$ 148 million) loan for the 510 MW Teesta-V hydro project in Sikkim. Civil works begin at BakunThe main civil works for the Bakun hydro project on the Balui river, in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia, began on 8 October. The works are valued at approximately US$ 474 million. COP 8 calls for ratification of Kyoto ProtocolThe 8th Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention concluded last month with the adoption of a Ministerial 'Delhi Declaration', which calls for all countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.Turnkey contract for Tirupur water supply projectHindustan Construction Co Ltd was recently awarded a Rs 3.1 billion (about US$ 64.5 million) contract for a water supply project by New Tirupur Area Development Corporation Ltd of Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, India.Major hydro schemes go ahead in VietnamThe Vietnamese Government recently approved the 110 MW Pleikrong hydro scheme, and has given the go-ahead for the construction of the Na Hang hydro plant. Meanwhile, the Sesan-3 and Pleikrong schemes are further along the way to development following the award of equipment contracts recently. SMEC signs MoU in India for hydro investmentSMEC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in India opening the way for the purchase of electricity from the proposed West Seti hydro plant in the far western region of Nepal. China plans to double hydro capacity by 2010China has announced that it will invest US$ 36 billion by 2010 to double its current hydro capacity, aiming to replace heavily polluting coal-fired generating plantHeavy rainfall has mixed impacts for AlbaniaAlbania, for a brief period, exported electricity in late September after heavy rainfall in the second half of the month increased the country's hydro output to unprecedented levels. However, the torrential rainfall also resulted in serious flooding across about two-thirds of the country. Turial contract awardedBharat Heavy Electricals has been awarded a Rs 740 million (US$ 15.3 million) contract to supply generating equipment for a 60 MW hydro project to be built on the river Turial in northeast India.Attacks on Khimti KholaA rebel attack took place recently at Nepal's largest independent power producer project, Khimti Khola. Information so far indicates substantial damage to the structures.Three bids to lease Bosnia's Capljina powerplantThree European companies have submitted bids to lease the 430 MW Capljina pumped-storage plant in Bosnia. The bids are now being evaluated, with a decision due shortly.Turnkey contract for TinarooGE Hydro has won a turnkey contract to build a new mini hydro plant in the far north of Queensland, Australia. The station is expected to meet the electricity needs of about 100 households a year. Full details of all these stories and many others are in the news section of Issue Six.Features: A technique based on the use of satellite altimeter data, previously used to monitor the oceans, can now be applied to smaller water bodies such as lakes and rivers, as a result of recent research at De Montfort University, UK. A paper in Issue 6 discusses the potential for this to assist in global water resources management, particularly in the light of concerns about global warming.Another research paper examines the effects of the compaction method on the properties of asphalt concrete used in embankment dams. Two other articles on asphalt concrete deal with productivity rates in relation to the speed of construction, and seismic behaviour of embankment dams with asphalt concrete cores.Gates, valves, flood management and dam safety are interrelated themes of the issue. One article offers practical advice to plant operators on how to unblock large diameter valves which have become jammed, when scale or sediments accumulate between the moving parts. Another paper discusses the relative merits of upstream and downstream seals for intake gates.Two papers focus on safety in relation to floods: one reviews incidents of overtopping of cofferdams in Iran, and calls for more attention to be paid to designing flood-resistant cofferdams; another describes a European research programme on flood risk management.The regional theme of the issue is Africa, with articles on water supply schemes in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, and updates on projects under way in Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Lesotho, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia.To order a subscription, email our Subscriptions Manager, Maria Flintan, at: subs@hydropower-dams.com