Sweco has been given responsibility for design and inspection of tunnels and rock caverns in connection with the construction of a new hydropower plant in Albania. The client is Devoll Hydropower, which is owned by Norwegian Statkraft. The value of the contract is approximately EUR 6.6 million.    

“The end result will be a hydropower plant that significantly strengthens Albania’s access to electricity and increases the share of renewable energy in the country. For Sweco, this is an assignment where we can demonstrate one of our flagship areas of expertise. We have unparalleled experience in designing tunnels and rock caverns that are optimised for high loads and varying areas of use over long periods of time,” says Lorenzo Lona, Divisional Manager at Sweco Norway.

In the assignment, Sweco will plan rock reinforcement measures and ensure the permanent stability of the tunnels and rock caverns that are built. The water in the new facility will be conveyed from a 150-metre high dam via a 10-kilometre long headrace tunnel down to a power station inside the mountain. The water will then be channelled through a tailrace tunnel to the Devoll River. The two rock caverns will contain a transformer station and power plant turbines.

Sweco’s work will begin in 2014 and will continue for three years. The new power plant will have an installed capacity of 177 MW and will be ready for operation at the end of 2018.