The project, to be implemented by the Ethiopian Government through the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, is scheduled to start delivering electricity in September 2014.
The project will be located approximately 700km north west of Addis Ababa, on the Blue Nile, in the Benishangul – Gumaz National Regional State. Construction works mainly consist of a roller compacted concrete main dam, with two powerhouses to be installed at the toe of the Dam, on the right and left banks, accommoding 10 and five Francis turbine units respectively. Other features will include a concrete lined gated spillway and a 5km long, 50m high Saddle dam, both located on the left bank.
The project will be carried out according to the "Fast Track Implementation" method, developed by Salini for the building of large hydroelectric plants, ready for immediate use. The method is based on the concurrent development of all relevant working phases, and allows a radical lowering – at least 50 % – of construction time, says the company.
"The award is a great technical and engineering achievement that confirms Salini's leadership among the big players in global hydropower construction” said Pietro Salini, Managing Director of Salini Costruttori.
