The fifth turbine destined for the Mica Dam is nearing the end of its journey from Germany after arriving in Valemount on Thursday, says BC Hydro.
The turbine, which is 6.45 metres across and weighs an incredible 136.7 tonnes completed the 13,000-kilometre journey from Ravensburg, Germany, where it was manufactured, to Valemount, B.C., on March 7. On its way, it was taken by barge to Rotterdam, the Netherlands; by ship to Houston, Texas; and by truck to Valemount, B.C., which sits at the edge of the Kinbasket Reservoir.
The truck that took it from Houston to Valemount was 35-metres long, had 96 wheels, and was actually two trucks – one to pull it and one to push it. This summer, the turbine will be taken by barge down the Kinbasket Reservoir to the Mica Generating Station, where it will be installed.
Once active in 2014, the turbine will spin at 133 revolutions per minute, increase the Mica Dam's capacity by 500 megawatts and generate power for 40,000 homes and businesses during peak demand periods.
The sixth turbine at Mica Dam is scheduled for delivery next year and is expected to be active in 2015.
The fifth turbine for Mica Dam gets loaded onto a ship in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. BC Hydro photo.