Construction has started on the 4.5 MW Stortemelk hydropower plant, in the Free State, with Aurecon appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services provider for the project.
The project was being developed by Renewable Energy Holdings (REH) group company NuPlanet, which had also been appointed to manage the project.
Aurecon says the hydropower plant had to be built between two existing dams without affecting their operations and stability and would require deep excavations through the Botterkloof dam embankment between the Botterkloof dam and the Boston A dam spillways.
Aurecon project director Bertrand Rochecouste Collet said this was the first time an EPCM contractual structure had been used under the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
He added that the Aurecon team understood the context of small hydro projects and private project development, which allowed for clear management of the complex and highly regulated development process, as well as for efficient risk allocation during development and construction.
Construction of the project was expected to be completed by mid-2016.
By: Leandi Kolver
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/construction-starts-on-45-mw-fs-hydropower-plant-aurecon-awarded-epcm-contract-2014-11-12/rep_id:3182
