Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise

RECONNAISSANCE LEVEL STUDY JEMMA

HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise

1.

INTRODUCTION

Objective The primary objective of this reconnaissance study as stipulated in the agreement between the MWR, as a part of the exercise of its organizational authority and the Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise (WWDSE), is to carry out an assessment mainly in the context of hydropower projects appear technically, economically and environmentally feasible. Location Site AB33 & AB 34 are situated in the middle reaches of the Jemma River, which is one of the major tributary of the river Blue Nile, and drains an area of 9192.5 km2 & 14733.4 km2 at the dam site of AB33 & AB34 respectively. The locations of the site are shown in figure 1. Previous studies A study of land and water resources of the Blue Nile was conducted by USBR in 1964. This study identified a site for hydropower development on Jemma River, 82km upstream from the confluence of Jemma and Abbay Rivers (i.e. upstream of AB-33). The site requires construction of 139 m high earth fill dam and it is estimated to impound 2700MCM of water. The power plant is located at the toe of the dam and its capacity 60MW. After setting different criteria for screening, it was suggested to abandoned. The Abbay River Basin Integrated Development Master Plan Project, carried out by BCEOM in 1997, has identified one additional small hydropower sites around Alem Ketema Town (i.e. around AB33). The study indicates that since 50,000 scale maps did not cover the area, detail investigation was not possible. However, it had concluded, due to the low specific discharges of the rivers in the area, it was supposed the potential would be low. 2. PROJECT AREA

The Jemma River originates from the highlands of Monze & Geshe, the Debre Birihan and the Tegulete & Bulga, which are characterized with high land plateaus predominantly, cultivated area and moderate land slope with uniform land topography forms. This upper catchment of the Jemma River lies above 2300masl with some peaks reaching up to 4000masl. The altitude of the river course descends down to 1300 masl in its middle reach within a relatively short distance forming deeply incised gorges and huge valleys before it joins the Blue Nile River system.

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

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3.

HYDROLOGY

Rainfall The area is characterized by one rainfall regime with unimodel rainfall pattern. The rainy months extend from June to September and about 80% of annual rainfall amount occurs during these four months. Mean monthly rainfall plots of representative stations are shown in figures 1.2, 1.3 & 1.4. The mean annual rainfall of the watershed is expected to be about 1000mm. Temperature The average monthly temperatures in the project area could range from 230c in August to 280c in May. Availability of river flow Data There are no annual flow data series of the Jemma River that can be resorted to the assessment of the water resources of the basin. The only option that can be made use of is the transposition of gauged cachment data to the Jemma catchment and to some degree the application of regionlization method. For transposition of flow data, Abbay River flow records at Bahir Dar and Kessie for a period of concurrent observation from 1971-1984 have been adopted. From the data given above, the flow data analysis is shown below.

Table 3. 1

Water Availability and Dependability Analysis Results

Drainage Area (km2) 9192.5 14733.4 Mean annual (MCM)) 2276.66 3648.95 Dependability of flow (%) 75 1846.8 2960.0 80 1768.3 2834.1 90 1577.1 2527.7 95 1434.9 2299.8

Dam site

AB33 AB34

Flood Estimation Flood estimation has carried out based on analogous and regionalisation methods. The magnitudes of flood estimated for the proposed dam sites are as follows.

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

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Table 3. 2

Flood Estimation
Drainage Area (km2) 9192.5 1000 830 14733.4 1400 1150 4830 3970 5460 4485 6510 5350 7770 6380 3450 2860 3900 3240 4650 3860 5550 4610 Mean Flood (m3/s) Return Period in Years 50 100 1000 10000

Dam site AB33 a) Analogous b) Reginalisation AB34 a) Analogous b) Reginalisation

Sediment Estimation In fixing the dead storage of the proposed reservoirs measured sediment load data are essential. In the case of ungauged watershed one has to rely this level of study on worldwide experience of reservoir sedimentation method by taking the storage volume in the range of 10-25% of the gross storage could be allocated as dead storage, therefore the sediment inflow rate to the proposed dam sites is estimated to be in the order of 2000-2500 tons/km2/yr. 4. GEOLOGY

Regional geology The geology of the Jemma river basin is represented by the Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and tertiary to quasternary age volcanic rocks (USBR, 1964, kazmin, 1972, Merla, etal 1973, Mengesha etal, 1996, MWR 1997). The sedimentary rocks, from bottom to top, are consisting of Adigrat sand stone, Abbay beds, Antalo limestone, upper sandstone and quaternary alluvium. The volcanic rocks are mainly basaltic rocks, which are grouped into different age and type localities. Dam site & Reservoir geology for AB33 The proposed dam site (AB33) and reservoir area are geologically situated on the Antalo limestone, which is deeply incised by the Jemma River. The Jemma River course is completely covered by thick (5-7m) alluvial deposit composed of boulder to gravel size basalt and limestone mixed with silica sand. The limestone is crystalline, strong and can bear the weight of the dam and powerhouse structures. The proposed dam site (AB34) and the reservoir area geologically situated on the Adigrat sandstone, which is more than a hundred meter in thickness. At the right side of river, the Abbay beds overlie sandstone and at the left bank of the river sandstone is over lain by the quaternary basalt. About 7m thick unconsolidated alluvial deposit composed of rounded grave to boulder sizes of basalt and limestone and silica sand cover the rock under the river channel. It is strong enough to provide sound foundation.

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

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Construction Material Availability Rock fill martial for AB33 can be obtained from limestone; boulders of basalt and silica sand are available in sufficient quantity at the abutments and the course of the Jemma River. Clay developed over Alaji Rhyorite is available about 20 km from Goronda villages. Basalt and sandstone are available in sufficient quantities nearby AB34 dam site, and clay is available within 5-10 km hauling distance from the site. 5. MULTIPURPOSE CONSIDERATION

Power Potential Assessment of Jemma Sub Basin The current reconnaissance study had investigated two potential dam site along Jemma River course. These sites are AB33 & AB34. AB33 is located in the upstream portion of the river course and commands catchment area of 9192.5 km2. The valley at the proposed site could economically accommodate dam having maximum height of 120m and crest length of some 955m. At this height the total volume of water stored behind the dam is estimated to be around 1546MCM and inundate on area of some 40km2. AB34 is located downstream o AB33. The catchment area commanded by the proposed dam site is 14733 km2 and could economically accommodate dam having maximum height of 117.7m and crest width of some 79m. At this height the total volume of water to be stored behind the dam is estimated to be around 4350MCM and inundate on area of some 62 km2. Potential Assessment for Irrigation Agriculture Development AB33 There is a possibility for the development of Irrigated agriculture in this potential site. The development of irrigated agriculture can only be done using pumping system as the possible command area is located at higher altitudes compare to the reservoir area. The pumping system is estimated to have about 410m physical head. Pumping is made from the reservoir before the hydropower is computing with that of the hydropower development both in water and energy resources. The soil study of the project area indicates that there is about 1300ha of land is available. Soils and land suitability classification of the same study, mode at this reconnaissance phase, indicates that out of 13000ha of arable land, 2900ha can be considered as a potential for the development of irrigated agriculture. However from the conclusion of the hydropower component of this reconnaissance level study AB33 is not a recommended site for development priorities. As a result no further investigation is made on the irrigation and drainage engineering aspects the envisaged study. AB 34 The dam site is located in the lower course of Jemma River having rolling and undulating land topography. The land topography both upstream &downstream reach from the proposed dam site is mountainous and the River system passes through deeply incised valleys and gorges. The dam site is located at a lower elevation, about 1200masl, compare to the possible 5 Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise

command area, which is located at an altitude of above 2000masl on the left bank of the River. Most of the agricultural lands on this plateau as located immediately adjacent to the gorge have steep land slopes and shallow soil depths. Due to these reasons irrigated agriculture development is no attractive at this potential site.

6.3 Potential Benefits of the project The main benefit of a hydroelectric project is the generation of electric power, which can support economic and social service development and improve the quality of life; It will create considerable job opportunities; It will provide a significant potential for new fisheries development and the local people will benefit from the mitigation and composition measures. 6.4 Conclusion The implementation of the hydropower and irrigation project will bring about many changes to the natural and socio-economic environment in which they are located. Most of the negative impacts on natural environment are capable of being reduced to an acceptable level through a combination of best practice techniques during construction. Major socio economic impacts are associated with the displacement and resettlement of people (for the AB33), loss of agricultural land, a large migrant labor force during the construction phase. The adverse effects can be mitigated through a well-planned resettlement and compensation programme combined with community gain measures, agricultural development packages, development of social and physical infrastructure, etc. most of which must be developed through community consultation and participation. From the finding of this initial environmental assessment, it can be concluded that construction of the AB33 dam will bring more major impacts particularly on socio-economic environment. In terms of environmental consideration, the AB34 site is preferred over the AB33 and consideration for dam height above 1320masl is not recommended. 7. OUT LINE LAYOUTS AND DESIGNS

General The reconnaissance study has investigated two potential dam sites AB33 &AB34. While evaluating each option, availability of construction materials suitability of foundation for the designed dam type, access to the site and all other planning and design procedures for hydropower for such scale and level of study have been considered. The reservoir operation as well as system optimization is performed using Lahmeyer International (LI) program APROS and the design of each alternative dam site and dam height was done using computer program called EVALS. Pending, availability of detail data, time and the TOR, preliminary screening of each option has been carried out. Based on the screening, scheme AB34 has been selected. Refer table 7.2 for more detail.

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

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8.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RECOMMENDED SITE

Conclusion Two optional sites are installing 40MW at AB33 and 78 MW at AB34, but the cost incurred to develop 40 MW at AB33 is equivalent to developing 78 MW at AB34, it is not only the plan capacity at AB34 is twice of that of AB33, the energy generation at AB34 is twice at AB33, therefore AB34 is the best ranking site. The surface geological condition at Dam sites is in general suitable for the foundation of the dam and powerhouse structure; however, the stability of the slope both at the dam site and in the reservoir shall not be over looked. Access and availability of construction materials are better at AB34 than at AB33. Recommendations Hydrological aspects Sediment sampling works should be carried out Discharge measurement should be taken using the different techniques The rehabilitation of hydrological station should be considered

Geological Aspects Lineaments interpreted, as faults should be verified by detail geological mapping and geophysical investigation. Subsurface geotechnical and geophysical investigations should be carried out along the dam axis for sound foundation. Construction materials availability has to be investigated.

Environmental and Socio-Economic Considerations A detailed socio-economic survey has to be done to the directly affected area to determine the accurate number of people to be affected, where they should be resettled, what social and physical infrastructure to be affected etc. A full survey of the flora and fauna of the anticipated impact zones to explore the presence or absence of rare or endemic species.

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

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Table 7. 1

Summary of Total Project Cost (AB34)

PACKAGE Civil Works Mechanical Equipment Electrical Equipment Environmental Pre- construction Costs Engineering and Supervision Owners Administration Total Project Cost

COST (USD) 290,515,720 34,319,380 26,215,650 2,739,275 60,144,304 17,689,501 10,613,701 442,237,530

Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project

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Table 7. 2
No. 1

Summaries of the Main Technical Features of Jemma (AB34)

FEATURES JEMMA (AB34)

Hydrology 2 Catchment Area (km ) Mean Annual Flow (MCM) 3 10,000 years flood (m /s) Reservoir 2 Reservoir area (km ) Max. Operating Level (a.m.s.l) Min. Operating Level (a.m.s.l) Intake Sill Level (a.m.s.l) Storage at Max. Operating level (MCM) Live Storage (MCM) Percentage of Regulation (%) Dam Dam /Weir type Crest level (amsl) Dam Height at the Max. Section (m) Crest Length (m) Total Volume of Dam (MCM) Spillway 3 Spill way Design Discharge (m /s) Total Length of Spillway (m) Head over Spillway Crest (m) (Hd) Outlet Diversion 3 Design Discharges (m /s) Internal Diameter (m) Total Length (m) Sill elevation (masl) Bottom Outlet Tunnel 3 Flow capacity at max..head (m /s) Midlevel Outlet Tunnel 3 Flow capacity at max..head (m /s) Internal diameter (m) Total length (m) Sill elevation (masl) Power Tunnel Internal Diameter (m) Total Length (m) Pressure Shaft Total Length (m) Internal Diameter (m) Surge Tank Total height Internal Diameter (m) Power House and Mechanical Equipment Type of Power House Dimension of Power House (LxW) Design Head (m) Type of Turbine Number of Units 3 Turbine Design Discharges (m /s) Installed Capacity (MW) Power Generation Dependable Capacity at (80%) (MW) Average Energy (Gwh/yr) Plant Factor Economic analysis Capital cost (MUSD) Interest rate (%) B/C ratio EIRR (%) Unit energy cost (US D/kwh)

14733.4 3648.9 6380 62 1228 1182.24 1179 3725.5 3093 98 Rock fill 1237.7 117.7 759 22.97 9570 227.27 7.53

1090 11.02 406.5 1114.5 3708.72 1985 10.00 406.50 1169.00

6.00 1300 243.38 5.9 64.4 20.20 Surface 68.7x16.3 103 Vertical Shaft Francis 3 31.11 78 60.21 592 0.63 442.24 10 1.304 12.9 0.103

10

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Reconnaissance Level Study Jemma Hydropower Project