UK consultant, Mott MacDonald has been appointed to lead a consortium to design a new hydroelectric power station in southwest Iceland that will include the construction of a 4km long headrace tunnel.
The consortium, including Acres International of Canada and Linuhönnun of Reykjavik, will design and develop the tender documents for the scheme’s three main civil contracts covering the tunnel, powerhouse and dam and the two mechanical and electrical contracts for the turbine/generator and substation.
The 4km long headrace tunnel will be 16m high x 10m wide and is to be constructed by drill and blast. Mott MacDonald will be responsible for the tunnel and all mechanical engineering.
Construction is expected to start in summer this year with completion scheduled for late 2004/early 2005 pending a positive outcome of power contract negotiations between Iceland’s utility company, Landsvirkjun and the potential buyer. The client declined to give a costing for the project and details of tender timings for a contractor.
Named the Budarhals project, the hydropower scheme is intended to provide power for Iceland’s rapidly growing aluminium industry.
