Aquaforce Concrete Services awarded prestigious hydro-demolition contract for Kariba Dam

Aquaforce Concrete Services has been awarded the contract to provide hydro-demolition works on the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project starting Q3 2020 supporting Freyssinet International who will be undertaking the main contract works.

Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project

The Kariba Dam is a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Measuring 128m tall and 579m long, the structure forms Lake Kariba and holds 185km³ of water. Constructed in 1955, the dam is essential for the energy security and economic development of the region.

Routine monitoring of the dam identified the need for rehabilitation works to ensure its long term efficient operation. The Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP), financed by the World Bank started in 2017 and will involve the reshaping of the plunge pool and refurbishment of the spillway gates. The project is due for completion in 2025.

As part of the project, Aquaforce Concrete Services will remove approx. 1000m3 of concrete from the six dam sluices to facilitate the required rehabilitation works. To undertake the works, Aquaforce will use a combination of robotic and hand lance water jetting techniques. Investment exceeding £1,000,000.00 is planned in state of the art hydro-demolition equipment and water treatment plant from UK based Calder Ltd which will be required to carry out the works in accordance with the engineer’s exacting standards.

Find more information about the KDRP here: http://www.zambezira.org/kdrp/