Dams
Global specialists in dam and reservoir engineering services that combine broad technical knowledge and a century of experience to deliver across the entire asset lifecycle using the latest technology and best practice. From designing world leading impounding structures to modelling flood storage catchments our capabilities range from planning through to decommissioning, including operation, maintenance, improvement and safety review services.
Engineering resilient dams and reservoirs for water security
We bring more than 100 years of experience to engineering dam and reservoir projects, addressing the challenges you face in a range of areas:
Optimisation and modernisation
We work to improve capacity, safety and environmental performance, incorporating the latest technologies. We implement advanced control systems and strategies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of new and existing dams and reservoirs.
Risk management
We can help you understand and manage the full range of risks, from the structural, mechanical, operational and seismic risks that directly affect dam and reservoir safety and integrity to the wider concerns of climate change, as well as financial risk and the reputational risk associated with stakeholder and community relations.
Sustainability and environmental compliance
We work to design and upgrade assets for sustainable use – using low carbon materials and energy efficient technologies – and with attention to preserving biodiversity and managing water resources in a way that balances economic, social and environmental needs.
Devoll Dam, Banja, Albania. As joint venture lead, Mott MacDonald was the Owner's Engineer undertaking construction supervision and design review for the 72 MW Banja Hydropower Plant developed by Statkraft. The design successfully integrated new works with the unfinished former dam structure, requiring close coordination with the Albanian National Committee of Large Dams (ALBCOLD), a member of the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). As Chair of the Expert Panel, we delivered a safety-led impounding plan for the 80m high clay core rockfill dam and 400Mm³ reservoir.
Tarbela Dam, Indus River, Pakistan. We conducted a sediment management study, the results of which have been critical in understanding the residual life and future management of this key asset which provides water for irrigation, vital regulation and flood control of the Indus River, and around 20% of Pakistan’s installed power capacity.
What can we do for you?
Whether projects are for new construction or remedial works, we have both the technical expertise and the creative minds to design, build and manage dams and reservoirs equipped for the next century. Our expertise includes:
Our experience
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Chaglla hydropower project, PeruThe project’s sheer size and complexity, along with the dam type and topography, posed significant potential risks that needed clear identification and management to reassure lenders. We reviewed all technical and contractual components to achieve successful financial close of the US$1.2bn project, followed by regular construction monitoring. The project has already brought many positive social impacts to the local community, including the creation of 2,500 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs.
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Ngonye Falls hydropower project, Zambezi River, ZambiaThis run-of-river hydroelectric plant will help strengthen and stabilise the Zambian power network by reducing flows and losses from the south to the west of the country as well as support government policy to export electricity to neighbouring countries. Connecting to the grid through a 110km 330kV (initially energised at 220kV) transmission line to Sesheke on the border with Namibia, it will generate an average of 830GWh of electricity a year − enough for more than 200,000 Zambian households.
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Tarbela Dam, Indus River, PakistanWe conducted a sediment management study, the results of which have been critical in understanding the residual life and future management of this key asset which provides water for irrigation, vital regulation and flood control of the Indus River, and around 20% of Pakistan’s installed power capacity. The study also informs our overall design work for the fourth Tarbela power plant extension, currently under construction, and the fifth extension project, which will increase the dam’s total generating capacity to 6.3GW.
