Webuild successfully completes pad foundation for Rogun Dam, Tajikistan – set to become world's tallest dam
16 January 2024
Webuild has achieved a significant milestone in the construction of the Rogun Dam in Tajikistan, set to be the world's tallest dam at 335m – with the completion of the pad foundation.
Situated on the Vakhsh River, approximately 90km from the capital Dushanbe, Lot 2 of the Rogun Hydropower Plant is currently under construction by Webuild on behalf of OJSC Rogun HPP. This ambitious project, now 35% complete, involves tackling various technical, geological, climatic, and logistical challenges, demanding innovative solutions at a global level.
The dam, composed of rockfill with a clay material core (concrete pad in roller compacted concrete (RCC)), will boast a total volume of around 80 million m3, featuring a crest length of 800m. Once finished, the Rogun Hydropower Plant is expected to have a total installed capacity of 3600MW, generated by six Francis Turbines, each with a capacity of 600MW.
Already partially commissioned, with two turbines activated between 2018 and 2019, the Rogun Dam plays a crucial role in Tajikistan's economic development, contributing to the country's power generation capacity.
The completed pad foundation, a RCC Pad divided into eight blocks, each 20 to 25m long, marks the commencement of the construction of the dam's core. This significant structure, measuring 180m in total length, 120m in width, and reaching a maximum height of 22m, utilized approximately 290,000 m3 of RCC.
Many innovative solutions have been applied as part of this project, including the implementation of the "Flying Belt System." This advanced material transport system, positioned on the left bank of the dam's downstream area, consists of a suspended conveyor belt attached to 65mm diameter steel ropes. Spanning a total length of 650m, the system boasts a nominal transport capacity of 3,000 tons per hour, contributing to the streamlining of subsequent processing stages.
