EPM definitively sealed the right diversion tunnel of Hidroituango
- Fecha de publicación
- 2024-10-17 00:00
- Contenido
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- This milestone, achieved on Thursday, September 19, 2024, increasessafety for the communities and the hydroelectric power plant.
- As of the end of August, Hidroituango had achieved 93.10% construction progress.
- The plant is currently generating 1,200 MW of clean and renewable energy for the country.
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, EPM reached a new milestone in the safety and construction progress of the Ituango hydroelectric project by definitively sealing the right diversion tunnel, a structure that triggered the emergency downstream of the dam on May 12, 2018. This achievement marks a significant step in reducing the risks associated with the contingency.
“EPM leveraged its full capacity and experience to close the right diversion tunnel, employing unparalleled engineering, cutting-edge and innovative technology that now serves as valuable knowledge and learning for application in other infrastructure projects. We extend our thanks to all individuals, organizations, contractors, and our staff who supported us in reaching this milestone”, stated John Maya Salazar, CEO of EPM.
Furthermore, the Mayor of Medellín and Chairman of the Board of EPM, Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga, commented, “Colombia requires more initiatives like this. The fundamental question is: What comes after Hidroituango? There are no other projects of this magnitude currently planned. The country needs energy sovereignty, and we must commit to more projects focused on energy transition and renewable energies, yet we should not forsake hydroelectric generation. Such hydroelectric plants position Colombia among the six nations with the cleanest energy matrices in the world.”
Technology and Ingenuity
The definitive sealing of the right diversion tunnel was a significant engineering challenge for EPM and the Hidroituango contractor teams. During the construction, all designs were modeled in collaboration with the University of Utah, USA.
Together with EPM, Schrader Camargo, the company responsible for completing the civil works in this area of the project, implemented various methods and technical solutions to divert water from the right tunnel to the intermediate outlet, allowing dry access for the construction of the monumental concrete plug.
During the intervention, 63 micropiles were installed, and 107,653 spheres of epoxy material along with 106 tons of plastic material mixed with concrete and various sediment thicknesses were utilized. Upon completing this high-engineering task under dry and safe conditions, crews and machinery entered the right diversion tunnel to construct the pre-plug and final concrete plug.
The tunnel was permanently sealed with a concrete plug measuring 33 meters in length, 14 meters in width, and 25 meters in height, shaped like a horseshoe. Given the circumstances, this project is considered an engineering marvel in the construction of hydroelectric power plants.
In 2018, the right diversion tunnel experienced a natural clogging, followed by a declogging event that released approximately 5,000 m3/s of water.
Construction Progress of Hidroituango
As of the end of August 2024, the project had achieved 93.10%
construction progress. Currently, civil works, demolition, stabilization, and concrete injections and pouring are underway in the southern area of the Powerhouse, encompassing phase 2 of Hidroituango, which includes the construction of generation units 5, 6, 7, and 8. Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 are already operational, generating 1,200 megawatts of clean and renewable energy for all of Colombia.
Furthermore, after more than two years of continuous activity, underwater works have concluded, enabling the rehabilitation of the hydraulic conditions of intake tunnels 2, 3, and 4. These structures channel water from the reservoir to the turbines for energy generation in the Powerhouse. These operations included the transportation from Croatia of three 100-ton hydro-mechanical plugs, marking another milestone in EPM's international logistics operations.
With Hidroituango, EPM contributes to the country's energy stability and economic development, offering clean energy that improves the quality of life for Colombians.
EPM is committed to ensuring Colombia's energy security.