Rusumo Project Construction Works in Progress
The overall status of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project is now at a combined total of 80.1%; field works continue to be altered to achieve the required completion milestone. Civil works are now at 83.2% and electro-mechanical works are now at 74.2 %.
River water was allowed to freely flow through the three open spillway gates and the hollow sill dyke ecological compensation flow structure. River levels slowly withdrew recently dropping by about 450 mm throughout the month of July 2021.
Significant remaining work at the dam and spillway includes commissioning the fourth spillway bay radial gate, then removal of the cofferdam. Commissioning will tentatively occur in September 2021.
The headrace tunnel breakthrough happened two months ago as a big milestone to Rusumo Project. The Project is now excavating the lower half of the tunnel, especially the middle and lower bench. About 102 meters of mid bench and 132 meters invert remain to be excavated, representing about 7,000 m3 of in-place rock mass to be removed. The permanent concrete lining is now at 37% complete.
Dam and Power Intake
Power house, Inlet Chamber, Penstock,
Civil works at the Powerhouse continues with concrete being placed around a scroll case – unit 2, placement of concrete within the downstream wall of unit 1, and the building of internal masonry walls. Work in theinlet chamber area is comprised of reinforcement installations and preparation to receive concrete - in boththe approach apron and inlet chamber (downstream deck area). Some work was done on the penstocks asweld acceptance testing work continues.
Draft Tube Gate and Stoplog Frames guide installations and sill installations commenced downstream at unit 3.
The electro-mechanical contractor continues to work on most fronts, work within the water passages continues, assembly of generator stators and rotor continues within the Service Bay, the draft tube gantry crane was assembled, some small equipment erection, tower assembly and cable trench tray installations are being done at the switchyard.
At the switchyard
Civil works also continued at the RPCL administration building and at both residential camps. Control room work is ongoing as some engineering efforts are being undertaken to accommodate the new openings for future use, that is future bays.