New intake gate for the Chivor plant extension, Colombia

A key component in the implementation of the life extension project at Chivor was the provision of a new intake gate, and various challenges at the site were that all the construction work had to been done while the hydropower plant remained in operation. This could be achieved thanks to the design of a gate in the pressure tunnel to isolate the hydraulic circuit, allowing the underground works to continue with the reservoir level rising. The authors describe the design, construction and installation of the gate, and measurements taken on completion to demonstrate its satisfactory performance.