Dams & Hydro

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Dams & Hydro

Our Dams & Hydro division is internationally recognised as a leading proponent of RCC dam technology and most specifically RCC arches. Our team has been involved in projects across five continents, with dam heights ranging from 5 to 280m. ARQ has been responsible for more than 7 million m³ of RCC placed to date.

We have also been involved in a number of hydropower projects in Central Africa and Central America on schemes ranging in capacity from 0.5 to 1 200 MW. We offer a comprehensive range of services from pre-feasibility, through specialist design and analysis, to construction supervision and safety inspections.

Our innovative solutions to increase dam capacity and to realise cost savings have established the firm as a technological leader within the industry. Over the past decade we have acted as expert reviewers in the field of dams for the World Bank, the SA Department of Water Affairs and several other major clients.

ARQ has also provided consulting services to South Africa’s electricity utility ESKOM.

Click here to view the ARQ Dams Profile document.

Mndwaka Dam

Mndwaka Dam will serve to provide water supply storage for the Amathole District Municipality. Construction of the 32 m arch-buttress dam started in April 2012 and completion is scheduled for middle of 2015.

Köroğlu HEPP

The Ünal Group, was awarded a license to develop the Köroğlu Dam and associated Hydroelectric Power Projects. The Köroğlu dam is 100 m high and designed by ARQ as an arch/gravity RCC dam, the first in Turkey. Construction at the dam commenced in June 2014 and RCC placement started in May 2015, with completion scheduled for May 2017. ARQ’s involvement in the design phase included review of feasibility studies, improvements to the river diversion arrangements, production of final designs for the dam and hydropower works, preparation of (and assistance with) an RCC mix development programme, assistance with construction plant and RCC training and supervision.

Mndwaka Dam – SAICE 2015 Regional and National Award Winner

With the preparatory work completed in 2012, 2013 saw the placement of Rubble Masonry Concrete at Mndwaka on southern Africa’s largest example of an RMC multiple arch-buttress dam. Situated close to Hole in the Wall, between Elliotdale and Coffee Bay in the Eastern Cape, Mndwaka Dam is being constructed as the storage component of …

Ayvali Dam & HEPP

The Ayvali HEPP will develop approximately 150 MW of electricity to be fed into the Turkish national grid. Özdogan Energy secured the license to develop the project, which includes an RCC gravity dam, 10 km of power tunnels and a 150 MW power station. With construction starting in 2011, RCC placement was initiated in December 2012. Construction of the dam was undertaken by Özkar Construction, a subsidiary company of the Özdogan Group.

Kotanli HEPP

The Unal Group, was awarded a license to develop the Kotanli Dam and associated Hydroelectric Power Project. The Kotanli dam is 85m high and was designed by ARQ as an arch/gravity RCC dam; the first in Turkey. The scheme is currently under construction, with RCC placement scheduled for completion by the end of April 2015.