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| May 29, 2008 |
NORPLAN signs contract with WAPDA for Neelum Jhelum Hydropower plant
On 14 May NORPLAN signed a Contract with the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) of Pakistan for design review, detailed design and construction supervision of the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower plant in Asad Kasmir province in north eastern Pakistan.
This high head run-of-river scheme with only a small pondage for the power intake utilises a gross head of about 420 m by diverting the Neelum River water from the village of Nauseri through a 32.5 km long tunnel system to to an underground power station and outlet on the lower limb of Jhelum River. The optimised maximum power station output is 969 MW, corresponding to a designed maximum discharge of 280 m3/s. The optimised project yields an average annual energy generation of 5,150 GWh.
NORPLAN is in Joint Venture with Montgomery Watson Harza (lead) and local companies Nespak, NDC and ACE. The Contract is scheduled to run over 9 years and NORPLAN's share equates to approximately 76 million Norwegian Kroner. NORPLAN has main responsibility for the underground works as well as involvement in mechanical and electrical, and general civils works. The underground works are particulary challenging with nearly 100 km of tunnels with difficult ground conditions and high overburden pressures.
CGGC of China have been appointed by WAPDA as main contractor, and the the total project cost is estimated to more than 2 billion USD.
The project marks a return to Pakistan for NORPLAN after several years absence. NORPLAN were themselves involved in the feasibility study for the Neelum Jhelum project in the mid 1990's and this new Contract gives NORPLAN the opportunity to see the plans brought to fruition.
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| May 29, 2008 |
NORPLAN launches carbon market services
NORPLAN will offer strategic advice on CDM and JI investments and facilitate emission reduction projects by providing technical assistance, risk assessment and due diligence.
The Kyoto Protocol established GHG emission reduction targets for industrialised countries, and offered countries the option of reducing emissions through project-based mechanisms and emission trading. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the Joint Implementation (JI) allows investors to finance projects that reduce emissions within a developing country (CDM), as well as other industrialized countries (JI).
With extensive experience from the renewable energy field, NORPLAN is well positioned to assist clients with the successful development of emission reduction projects worldwide.
NORPLAN`s managing director Ove Rusten says “We are very excited to venture into this emerging market. One thing that will never change is our long-standing commitment to provide a wide variety of services to our clients, and we are certain that all our clients will find our range of carbon market services valuable”
NORPLAN will i.a. offer the following services:
CDM and JI Feasibility studies
Assistance with preparation of Project Idea Note (PIN)
Assistance with preparation of Project Design Document (PDD)
Due diligence services
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| April 4, 2008 |
NORPLAN in the Thunder Dragon Kingdom
The mountainous Kingdom of Bhutan, surrounded by the two Asian powers India and China has a population of about 750 000 people. Bhutan’s GDP has grown strongly at an average real rate of 7.3% since 2000, still poverty remains a serious concern for Bhutan with around a third of its population living below the national poverty line (most of whom in rural Bhutan).
Glaciers in northern Bhutan, which cover about 10 percent of the total surface area, are an important renewable source of water for Bhutan’s four major river systems. Each winter the glaciers are fed by fresh snow and slow melting in the summer brings millions of litres of water to the rivers. Bhutan has large hydropower potentials, of which about 1500 MW has already been developed. An agreement with the Government of India aims at developing an additional 3500 MW for the Indian market. Evidently, the country’s sustained rapid economic growth over the last three decades has been strongly underpinned by large investments and revenue generated from the hydropower sector.
Over the years NORPLAN has been involved in several initiatives in Bhutan, the first being the feasibility study for the Mangde Chuu hydropower project in 1999. In 2007 NORPLAN was responsible for the review of the Norwegian development funding to Bhutan. In 2004 NORPLAN was involved in the study on “Corporatisation of Druk Hydro Power Corporation” which now is implemented. In January 2008 Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd (DGPC) was formed, responsible to accelerate the hydropower resources and economic growth of the country. DGPC is an amalgamation of Chhukha, Basochu and Kurichu Hydropower Corporations.
It is always a great pleasure to work in Bhutan, there is a mutual good cultural understanding, both nations being small with steep and high mountains with large hydropower potential. This has created good working relations over time.
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| March 28, 2008 |
ALTO MAIPO HYDROPOWER PROJECT, CHILE
The project site is located in the Alto Maipo Valley – approximately 40 km south-east of Santiago de Chile.
The Alto Rio Maipo Hydropower Project includes 2 underground hydropower plants, Alfalfal II of 275 MW and Las Lajas of 256 MW, both run-of-the-river projects, with no dams/reservoirs. The water is transferred from the rivers Volcán, Yeso and Colorado, all tributaries to the Alto Maipo River. Available head is 1160 m and 483 m respectively. The plants include 65 km of headrace, tailrace and access tunnels, with cross section in the range of 11 to 43 m2. In addition come approx. 2,5km of shafts, both pressure, surge, and cable shafts as well as underground power houses. All tunnels, shafts and caverns are designed to be excavated and supported according to observational methods. The project also includes 3 high mountain intakes, and electrical and mechanical equipment. Pelton turbines are selected because of the high head and the heavy silt exposure in the region. Transmission voltage will be 220 kV through cables with a length of up to 2.5 km.
NORPLAN was not involved in the project planning or concept design stages, but having top expertise in rock engineering, underground construction technology, and hydropower station development, NORPLAN has been chosen for the position as international specialist within the following defined sectors:
Tunnel works
Mechanical equipment in power house caverns
Electrical equipment
The assignment covers technical advisory and controlling functions for the underground parts. The documents to be prepared are as follows:
Final Design study, including Mapping and Ground Investigations, Tunnel Design, Design base for mechanical and electrical equipment, Co-ordination.
Procurement services until award of contract, including pre-qualification and tender documents for 4 different contracts; 3 tunnel contracts and 1 electromechanical contract.
The Client is AES Gener, Santiago. |
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| February 21, 2008 |
New head-office for NORPLAN
From March 10 NORPLAN’s head office will be at the following
address:
NORPLAN
Nedre Skøyen vei 2
N-0276 Oslo, Norway
Phone.: +47 21585000
Fax.: + 47 21585001
norplan@norplan.com |
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| September 26, 2007 |
NORPLAN has been awarded a contract with Norfund for the feasibility study of a hydropower project on the Fula Rapids on the river Nile in southern Sudan
The project site is located in a remote area close to the Nimule National Park in Southern Sudan. Here the River Nile divides into parallel channels as it flows towards the north, eventually forming the Fula Rapids at the confluence of the channels.
One of the tasks assigned will also be to identify the boundaries of the national park.
Ten persons will be on the team from NORPLAN AS, and seven persons from NORPLAN Uganda. They will cover hydropower, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, hydrology, geology, transmission, environmental and social sciences, power markets and economics.
Norfund, the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries, is the Client. |
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| August 20, 2007 |
New NORPLAN Programme for Exchange of Young Professionals, Norway, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda
A new round of reciprocal exchanges of young employees between NORPLAN AS and its counterparts in East Africa, NORPLAN Tanzania Ltd., NORPLAN Uganda Ltd. and Shebelle Consulting Engineers Ethiopia, is under way. This programme is part of the exchange agreement between NORPLAN AS and Fredskorpset in Norway, and represents an excellent opportunity to consolidate the competence of younger staff by providing international experience. The cross cultural emphasis of the programme is a key element to gain deeper and better understanding for development issues and challenges among the employees of the partner firms, along with technical capacity building in our offices.
For one year, NORPLAN AS in Norway will host two participants from Tanzania and Ethiopia, while NORPLAN Tanzania, NORPLAN Uganda and SCE Ethiopia will each host one participant from Norway. One candidate from NORPLAN Uganda will work with NORPLAN Tanzania. |
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| July 3, 2007 |
Planning of surface water drainage, Rwanda
NORPLAN has been awarded a contract for planning of surface water drainage in the city of Kigali, Rwanda. Rainwater is causing serious erosion problems and landslides that provoke damage to houses and infrastructure. The project - covers: Detailed studies and design of first priority work; Technical design and work drawings and tendering documents; Preliminary studies and design; Review of current plans and diagnostic analysis. The Client is the Ministry of Infrastructure in Rwanda with funding from NDF. |
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Fields of expertise
