CIMA+ was the Owner’s Engineer, lead designer and construction manager to undertake the complete rehabilitation of the 12-MW generating station. The goal was to increase its useful life by 50 to 75 years.
CIMA+’s scope of work included the refurbishment of the generating station, intake canal, forebay and tailrace structures, and other related hydraulic structures.
The design also required the removal and replacement of the three existing double camelback turbines, refurbishing the generators, rehabilitation of the powerhouse structure and overhead crane, replacement of all electrical systems, and commissioning of electrical power equipment.
To meet the clients schedule requirements, the work was implemented through a series of procurement and construction contracts. Long lead-time equipment was bid and purchased directly while design and bidding for the construction and installation were completed. This equipment included:
- Turbines – supply and installation
- Transformers
- Exciters
- Controls – supply and commissioning
- Standby generator
- Switchgear with prefabricated building
- Bridge crane
- Trash rack cleaner
Construction
- Work was contracted as follows:
- Access bridge – was built and in service before the civil work contractor mobilized
- Civil Work
- Major change orders for powerhouse rehabilitation
- Switchyard construction
- Electrical work
- Generator overhaul
After installation of the cofferdams was completed and the structures were dewatered, major structural problems were identified that required significant changes to the original construction scope. In spite of all the unforeseen conditions, the project was finished on time and within the client’s budget.