Dam contractors sign at Cromwell

Press, 29 October 1982, Page 1

Dam contractors sign at Cromwell

PA Wellington The contract for the construction of the Clyde dam was formally signed by representatives of a West'German firm, Ed Zublin. and Williamson Construction, of Christchurch, yesterday. The Minister of Works. Mr Friedlander, was present at the signing of the contract at Cromwell. The 64m dam. to cost more than $lOB million, will be the biggest concrete dam in New Zealand. Work on the contract follows up the diversion of the Clutha River and excavation of the foundation by the Ministry of Works. ' The Ministry would construct the powerhouse and was building the right abutment of the dam to provide continuity of work until then, said Mr Friedlander. The Electricity Division of the Ministry of Energy will

install turbines, generators, and other equipment.

The dam will stand at the head of the new Lake Dunstan, which is planned to be filled in March, 1987. The dam will be commissioned a year later, according to latest predictions by the Minister of Energy, Mr Birch.

Mr Friedlander said he was watching the signing with pleasure and relief.

With the difficulties about the Clyde dam now past, the joint venture could proceed with a dam that would provide power, jobs, and development opportunities. Under the contract, the

consortium will place 650,000 cubic metres of concrete in the gravity dam and spillway: fabricate and erect the 7.8 m diameter penstocks: and install the steel gates that will control the water flow.

The Ministry of Works will also build the power house. The director of the overseas division of Ed Zublin, Mr H. Zola, who was present at the signing with Williamson's chairman of directors, Mr P. Williamson, said his firm had an international reputation to protect. It would deliver a highquality job on time, he said.