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Afobaka Dam Faces Persistent Risks from Resource Exploitation

Guarding Against Disaster: The Ongoing Threat to Suriname’s Dam Safety

Afobaka Dam Faces Persistent Risks from Resource Exploitation

Ongoing logging and gold mining activities in the vicinity of the reservoir continue to jeopardize the safety of the Afobaka dam and its accompanying 16 auxiliary dikes. In a worst-case scenario, the city of Paramaribo could find itself submerged within 50 hours, depending on which auxiliary dikes fail. Brokopondo faces a similar risk, potentially succumbing to inundation in even less time, with water levels reaching up to 5 meters.

The State Oil Power Company Suriname (SPCS), responsible for overseeing the Afobaka power plant, remains on high alert and frequently seeks assistance from authorities to mitigate potential dangers.

During a recent visit to the Brokopondo hydropower plant, facilitated by SPCS, journalists gained insights into the operations and inner workings of both the dam and power plant. This visit was part of a broader initiative by State Oil, organizing a two-day press tour of its operations in Saramacca, Paramaribo, Wanica, and Brokopondo. It was emphasized that the dam adheres to global standards, holding multiple certifications, and its integrity remains intact despite the ongoing drought. All six turbines are operational.

A team of forty personnel, supported by advanced systems, grapples with various challenges, including monitoring water levels and weather patterns. The reservoir’s maximum safe water level for power generation is set at 264 feet (79.2 meters), with a minimum of 240 feet (72 meters). Presently, the water level stands at 255 feet (76.5 meters). The dam is engineered to withstand an extreme water level, up to the brim, reaching 269 feet (80 meters). Controlled releases are implemented before this threshold is reached to alleviate excess water and pressure.

Maintaining the safety of the 16 auxiliary dikes, 12 on the west side and 4 on the east side, has become a significant challenge. State Oil has consistently raised concerns about the dangers posed by (illegal) logging and gold activities near the dikes, leading to interventions by authorities. However, the problem persists.

Nawien Debipersad, Manager of Power, Reliability, and Maintenance at SPCS, acknowledges the ongoing nature of these challenges, stating, “We deal with such situations regularly. Our primary focus is to operate the dam for energy generation.” He notes that dangerous activities are observed 3 to 4 times a month. Although authorities respond promptly, there is no guarantee of sustained safety around the auxiliary dikes.

Conducting frequent risk analyses, Debipersad highlights the worst-case scenario: a dam breach. Simulations indicate that a breach at the auxiliary dikes would have an impact comparable to that at the main dam. Should the eastern auxiliary dikes fail, Paramaribo could face submersion by 17 feet (5.1 meters) within 50 hours. Similarly, a breach in the western auxiliary dikes could lead to the Brokopondo area being submerged by around five meters in a shorter time frame. Debipersad underscores the severity of the situation, emphasizing that dam integrity and safety take precedence above all.

Source: https://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/78418

Date: 12 november 2023

Categories:  Houtindustrie, Mijnbouwsector, Suriname 

Tags:  Afobaka, Stuwmeer 

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