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New Ritom pumped storage hydropower plant

Last breakthrough

On February 23, 2022, after almost 12 months of work, the Tunnel Boring Machine completed the excavation of the inclined shaft, connecting the area where the Lake Ritom is located and the donwstream area where the powerhouse of the new Ritom hydroelecrtric power plant has been almost completed.

The new adduction system, completely underground, was excavated starting in 2019 from the bottom of the valley with drill&blast for the first 770 metres. Then, in March 2021, a 3,2 m diameter Tunnel Boring Machine was lanced to excavate the 1,4 km long inclined shaft, overcoming a difference in height of almost 800 metres and raising up to a maximum gradient of 90%.

The next works include the installation and subsequent grouting of a steel lining within the new underground supply system, through which the water from the Lake Ritom, with a hydraulic head of 840 metres, will finally reach two 60 MW Pelton turbines that will be installed in the new Ritom SA powerhouse. In addition, thanks to the installation of a 60 MW pump, there will be the possibility in the future of pumping water up into the Lake Ritom.

The completion of the Project and commissioning of the pumped storage hydropower plant is planned for 2025.

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