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  Overcoming the geological and design related challenges of the 510 MW hydropower project of Cerro del Águila, Peru

  The 510 MW hydropower project Cerro del Águila is currently under construction in the external Peruvian Andes. It includes a 80 m high gravity dam, a 7.6 km long headrace-tailrace tunnel system with a 10.5 m high, simplified horseshoe section, a 250 m high pressure shaft, a 40x86x18 m powerhouse cavern located 350 m underground, and various surge, access and construction tunnels. All underground excavations are carried out by drill and blast. The major geological challenges are possible spalling/rockburst and convergences in the headrace tunnel which reaches more than 1600 m overburden, and the crossing of a major lithological contact. Topography, fracture patterns and up to 150 m thick colluvial/landslide deposits challenge the construction of adits and portals. The powerhouse, located under a strongly inclined slope must be aligned with insitu stress and joints orientation. The pressure shaft must be checked for water tighting. This paper presents an overview of work in progress.

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