Excavation work underway at Georgia’s Nenskra hydropower plant
By Carrieann Stocks 31 Dec 2019
State-of-the-art tunnel-boring machines are being used during the construction of the Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia
Artists impression of Nenskra Hydropower Plant, Georgia (Image courtesy of JSC Nenskra Hydro)
JSC Nenskra Hydro, the hydropower developer behind the 280MW Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia, has recently announced that it will use the latest technology for excavation of the project’s tunnels – two Double Shield tunnel-boring machines (TBMs), custom made by German firm Herrenknecht.
The Nenskra project will include two tunnels. The Nakra transfer tunnel connects Nakra valley with Nenskra valley and is approximately 12.5km long with a 3.5m diameter. This tunnel will divert water from the Nakra weir and into the Nenskra reservoir.
The second tunnel, Nenskra headrace tunnel, follows the left bank of the Nenskra valley and is approximately 15.1km long with a 4.5m diameter. The tunnel will connect the reservoir with the powerhouse.
With 280MW of installed capacity, the project will annually provide Georgia with total energy generation of 1200GWh, which will be fully consumed by the local energy market.
Today, Georgia experiences a deficit in electricity supplies in winter, particularly in the period of November to January due to less water being available from rivers and increased internal energy consumption. In addition, the percentage of imported electricity increases year after year.
Given these conditions, the implementation of the project is of utmost importance for the country.
.......
The project’s powerhouse is planned on the left bank of the Nenskra river and will include three vertical Pelton turbines of 93.33MW capacity each.
........
Quand on a un javelin dans la main, tous les problèmes ressemblent à un T-72.
