VINCI Construction embarks on building the Abdelmoumen pumped storage hydroelectric plant

VINCI Construction which is a joint venture with Andritz Hydro electromechanical company has gained the contract to construct the Abdelmoumen pumped storage hydroelectric plant (PSP) located 70 km from Agadir, Morocco.

Aiming to develop renewable energies in Morocco, the contract entails construction surveys, civil engineering works, supply of materials and pumping equipments for which a total of 840 people will be recruited for the 48-month project, including 780 to be hired locally.

A training programme will also be conducted to ensure worksite safety and quality. The water stored in an uphill tank will be released into a 3-kilometre transfer line (penstock and galleries) and travel on a natural slope to a tank about 550 metres downhill. A 350 MW hydroelectric plant will be built along the penstock between the two reservoirs. The reversible plant will generate electricity when operating in turbine mode and pump water from the lower to the upper reservoir in pumping mode. The system will thus generate renewable energy depending on the demand. VINCI’s past projects civil engineering works for the Jorf Lafsar chemical plant and the Renault plant in Tangier and the latest endeavors include building the high-speed railway line stations in Tangier and Kenitra.

Image Source: VINCI