Tenders were invited last month for the construction of the Blåfalli Vik Hydropower project in Norway, which includes 6.5km of tunnelling.
Tunnelling works include a 4.3km long headrace tunnel, a 570m long tailrace tunnel, and almost 2km of access tunnels and auxiliary tunnels. They will range in size from 15m2 to 60m2, and will be constructed using drill and blast – the successful contractor will arrange the machinery contracts.
It is planned that the headrace tunnel will remain unlined with a water head of 375m. Rock stress measurements were taken from drill holes, which then helped determine the location of transition between the headrace and the steel penstock. The geology is made up of Precambrian plutonic rocks, consisting of granite, granodiorite and gabbro.
The total project cost is in the region of US$55M, with the cost of tunnelling around US$15M.
The new power plant will replace two existing power plants: Blåfalli I, with a 9MW installation; and Blåfalli II with 72MW installation. The new Blåfalli Vik power station will equipped with a Francis turbine of either 180MW or 230MW capacity.
The contract should be awarded in January 2004, with the start of construction planned for between February and March 2004.
The new power station will be based at Matre in the western province of Sunnhordland, and financed by the client, local power company SKL. Consultant to the client is NVK Multiconsult.
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