Broomfield, Colo., July 13, 2014, – MWH Global, an engineering, consulting, and construction firm focused on water and natural resources, announced that it will serve as consultants for the modernization of the 1,890 megawatt (MW) Salto Grande hydroelectric plant on the border of Uruguay and Argentina and will serve as detail designers for the Nestor Kirchner and Jorge Cepernic hydroelectric projects. According to the World Bank, nearly 25 percent of Argentina’s energy is produced by hydroelectric plants.
South American infrastructure development leader Grupo Eling S.A. in JV with Chinese CGGC, are building two dams, Nestor Kirchner and Jorge Cepernic, along the Santa Cruz River approximately 80km apart. Named after the late Argentine president and located in Santa Cruz province , the proposed Nestor Kirchner project is a 75-meter-high concrete-faced rock dam and the completed power house will have a capacity of 1,140 MW . The Jorge Cepernic dam, named after the former governor of Santa Cruz province, will be 43 meters high and will have an installed capacity of 600 MW. MWH will provide detailed design services, by using building information modeling BIM technology to produce intelligent parametric designs.
The two projects at completion will combine to power the equivalent of more than one million homes. This represents a 58 percent power increase to the region.
Managed by the Inter-American Development Bank for the Comisión Técnico Mixta, when completed the study for the modernization of Salto Grande, that is a 14-unit hydroelectric Kaplan plant that produces 1,890 MW of power for the Uruguay and Argentina power grid, will become the work path for the modernization of the second largest hydropower plant in Argentina. This project currently provides 50 percent of the energy for Uruguay and eight percent of the total power in Argentina.
"The Salto Grande, Nestor Kirchner and Jorge Cepernic hydroelectric projects will bring much needed power to the region and continue the Argentine commitment to clean reliable hydropower," said Joe Adams president of energy and industry for MWH. "We are thrilled to continue our work in Argentina."
MWH Global has been working in Argentina for over 40 years providing hydropower development, environmental, mining, hydrology and hydrogeology services.
MWH Global has nearly 100 years of hydropower experience including feasibility studies, detailed design, and construction management. For more information about MWH hydro experience, visit www.mwhglobal.com/energy.
About MWH Global
MWH Global is the premier solutions provider focused on water and natural resources for built infrastructure and the environment. Offering a full range of innovative, award-winning services from initial planning through construction and asset management, we partner with our clients in multiple industries. Our approximately 7,000 employees in 35 countries spanning six continents are dedicated to fulfilling our purpose of Building a Better World, which reflects our commitment to sustainable development. MWH is a private, employee-owned firm with a rich legacy beginning in 1820. For more information, visit our website at www.mwhglobal.com or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.