Yeywa Dam
The 790 MW Yeywa Hydropower Dam Project is located in central Burma (Myanmar) on the Myitinge River, 52 km (32 mi) southeast of Mandalay city, at Yeywa village in Kyuak Se Township in Mandalay Division.[1] [2] This new dam is notable as Burma's largest hydroelectric power plant [3] and it is Burma’s first Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam. [4]
Background
The Burmese government announced plans for the Yeywa Dam in late 2001. In 2004, Burma’s Ministry of Electric Power (MEPE) signed a MOU with a consortium of Chinese companies created by China International Trust & Investment Co. (CITIC) and Sinohydro Corporation for implementation of the project. On site work began in 2004 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2010.[5]
Design
The dam design comprises a 197 m (646 ft) high RCC embankment gravity dam, built of 2,800,000 cubic metres (3,700,000 cu yd) of concrete. The dam includes an ungated spillway of reinforced conventional concrete cast after RCC placement, located in the central section of the dam for a design flood water discharge of 6,600 m3/s and a 790 MW (4 x 197.5 MW) powerhouse at the toe of the dam on the left bank.[1]
The power generation facilities are comprised of 4 power intakes, 4 steel penstocks and 4 vertical axis Francis turbines and generator units and associated electro-mechanical and auxiliary equipment installed in the open air powerhouse. In addition there is one permanent 10 m diameter diversion tunnel in the right bank serving as a bottom outlet enabling reservoir drawdown and control during reservoir filling, maintaining of riparian flows to the river downstream during the impounding period, maintaining river flow during the emergency case of all turbines being closed down and to redirect flood waters of the Myitnge river.[1]
Two double circuit 230 kV transmission lines connect between the main transformers located on the downstream side of the powerhouse to an open-air switchyard, located on the left bank 550m downstream of the powerhouse. The Yeywa Dam will supply electric power to the Meiktila Sub-Power Station through the 110 km long Yeywa-Meiktila 230 kV double power line link to the southwest and to the Bellin Substation through another 50 km long 230 kV double power line link in the west. The Bellin and the Meiktila Sub-Power Stations will be linked to each other with 100 km long 23 kV double power lines. [6]
Construction
Several construction companies from China, Switzerland, and Britain have been involved in various stages of the Yeywa Dam, including the Chinese companies: Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank), China Gezhouba Group Co. (CGGC), China National Electric Equipment Co., Hunan Savoo Overseas Water & Electric Engineering Co. and China National Heavy Machinery Co. The Swiss company COLENCO Power Engineering, Ltd. and the British Malcolm Dunstan & Associates. [5] Up to 5000 workers were employed on this large construction project. Equipment selected for the concreting operations include Putzmeister’s MX 32 stationary boom, an M 38 truck-mounted concrete pump and two BSA 2,109 HP stationary pumps. [7]
Impact
In 2005 the Myanmar Times reported that three villages near the dam had been relocated. The villagers had depended on the Myitnge River for their fishing, farming and logging livelihoods, the sources of which will be flooded by the dam. Ancient cultural sites like the Sappa Sukha Htattaw Temple will also be flooded and forever lost. [8] [9]
References
- ^ a b c Department of Hydropower, Ministry of Electric Power, Myanmar & Colenco Power Engineering Ltd, CH (ed.). Yeywa Hydropower Project, an Overview (PDF). Burma Library.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ "Yeywa Hydropower Project, an Overview" (PDF). Vietnam National Commission On Large Dams. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Myanmar biggest hydropower plant to be put on test run". LETTING THE RIVERS RUN FREE. Burma Rivers Network. 11-22-2009. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Feature - The need for speed". Water Power Magazine. Burma Rivers Network. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Yeywa Dam". LETTING THE RIVERS RUN FREE. Burma Rivers Network. 7-2008. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Burma contracts China for hydro project". Water Power Magazine. International Water Power and Dam Construction. 9-9-2005. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Feature - Rounding up equipment". Water Power Magazine. International Water Power and Dam Construction. 3-17-2009. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Yeywa Dam". LETTING THE RIVERS RUN FREE. Burma Rivers Network. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Lengwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).
External sources
- Yeywa Hydro Power Project, video 6:03