Fufu Hydropower Project, Malawi

The Ministry of Energy and Natural resources of Malawi commissioned Geomechanics to undertake a geotechnical survey of two potential locations for hydroelectric power stations, one in the north and one in the south of Malawi.

The project in the north, Fufu Hydropower, required PQ Rotary core drilling (by Geomechanics), Lugeon testing and Hydrofracture.

The Norwegian Hydrofracture testing was used to determine the design requirements for an underground pipe that will carry water from the proposed dam to the turbines located 1.9km away at Lake Malawi. The pipe needs to be designed to withstand the pressure of the water falling over 400m and the additional pressure if the water flow is stopped for any reason. The properties of the rock surrounding the pipe will determine its design.