The HydroTimor weBlog

The power house site has been cleared for vegetation and the digging has started. Steel trusses, doors and windows are under construction, either at the Salesian training centre in Fatumaka, or in Dili. All drawings for the construction are received. The work is supervised by Mr Arlindo Sarmento, a Dili based contractor of ViqZum/Lemorai Hamutuk.

The power house will contain the turbine, generator, transformer and other necessary equipment. It is expected to be completed during September, and the turbine to be installed shortly after. Final testing will however not be possible before the completion of the penstock, due early 2008.

Local workers digging the powerhouse site. Behind, discussing details described in the drawings, we see (from left) Mr Vasco Pinto (ViqZum), Mr Alf Adeler (HydroTimor) and Mr Arlindo Sarmento (Lemorai).
Photo: Basil Rolandsen (www.bouvet.info)

It may not be a real power station, but at least there is a solar panel installed at the power house site now…

HydroTimor’s Kassius Klei Ximenes assisted by Construction Manager Vasco Pinto installed the panel, which charges a battery to supply electricity providing light to the site office and the staff living quarters.

Solar power is a resource HydroTimor will install another place, as well: The Bereleu primary school near Liqidoe will soon receive solar panels, which will help students finishing their home work, as well as benefiting the staff preparing for next day. The school has been very helpful to HydroTimor during water measurements in the area, and we thought this might be a nice way to say “thank you”. They seem to agree…

Photo: Basil Rolandsen (www.bouvet.info)

Heavy rains during March to May led to some delays, affecting both digging of ditches and transportation of pipes, but the work is now progressing satisfactory again.

The penstock (i.e pipeline transporting water from the sources to the generator) are divided into two sections: The larger section, consisting of 400 mm pipes will be 1440 meters long, and now about 820 meters are completed, including a small pipe for signal cable. The smaller section, consisting of 250 mm pipes connect the larger pipes with the two intakes, a total 900 meters (one stretch of 350 m and one of 550 m).

The larger section is expected to be completed during October, and the smaller stretches probably not until early 2008. The terrain is very difficult, the work is demanding, and the completion will depend on the onset of the next rainy season…

Photo: Basil Rolandsen (www.bouvet.info)