Karahnjukar - Powerhouse excavation nearly completeas TBMs roll

摘要

THE Karahnjukar hydro electric project is the largest industrial project ever contemplated in Iceland. While perhaps pride of place may ultimately be taken by its most visual aspect - the 193 m high Karahnjukar dam - the hidden tunnelling and underground construction aspects of the project are equally, if not more, demanding. The US dollar 1billion plus project is now well under way. Latest statistics show that the main dam is now over 25 percent complete, the driving of the vertical penstocks from the headrace tunnel to the underground powerhouse complex is complete, and the principal development of the powerhouse is also largely complete. Roughly 14km of the 70 km of tunnels being driven have also been completed. This includes much of the extensive drill and blast work on the contract by Impregilo and Fosskraft - the two principal contractors on site. The drill and blast sections were to provide initial access for the TBMs, for the driving of 1.5 km of diversion tunnels and the tunnels to access the power station excavation, the powerhouse and transformer hall excavations and the tailrace tunnel.