Tâmega River Hydroelectric Complex Electrical Installation

Omexom's Role in Dam Project

Last May, Omexom began working with Iberdrola on the Tâmega River Hydroelectric Complex, noted as the largest hydroelectric project in Europe over the past 25 years. Specifically, Omexom’s focus is on the Daivões dam within this complex, overseeing the assembly of the electrical components including transformers, control systems, and low voltage systems, along with auxiliary power and lighting installations at both the dam and power plant.

Electrical Installation Details

This undertaking involves laying eight kilometers of trays, connecting 190 km of cables, installing two transformers of 65 MVA (each weighing 143 tons with a transformation voltage of 410kV/15kV), and fitting approximately 100 cabinets and electrical equipment units. The Daivões dam is one of three dams in the complex, with the overall project expected to complete by 2023, contributing a total installed capacity of 1,158 MW, thus enhancing Portugal’s total electrical power by 6%.

Environmental Impact and Challenges

The Tâmega project aims to deliver electricity to 440,000 families, significantly contributing to environmental goals by eliminating 1.2 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. Despite the environmental and social benefits, the project presents substantial challenges, including its massive scale and the lengthy work duration of more than 24 months. Moreover, ensuring safety in this multi-company endeavor requires constant and meticulous supervision of safety processes.