Khi Solar One

Khi Solar One

South Africa- another country, just as Mexico which has failed to evoke the notion of an emerging economy to look out for, despite its great potential. A major mistake is large-sclae corruption present in major infrastructural projects. One project everyone hopes its operations are not stopped due to corruption charges is the high-budget Khi Solar One project.  

“The 205 meter high Khi Solar One is a technically stunning thermal power development with more than 4,000 rotating mirrors. Judges said this project stands apart from other impressive efforts within South Africa’s first state renewables procurement program. It will prevent approximately 183,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year as part of the country’s goal of generating 17.8 GW of renewables by 2030. The project has been supported by US$70 million of European Investment Bank funding and should encourage other investors and lenders to support renewable schemes in South Africa” (KPMG).

This plant has been specifically designed to meet South Africa’s renewable energy needs. Khi Solar One will prevent approximately the release of 183,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, and will supply clean energy to approximately 45,000 households while simultaneously creating an average of 600 jobs during construction, and approximately 35 jobs during operation.

(Image Credits: Abengoa Solar)

Dulles Train Extension

Dulles Train Extension

Washington’s Dulles International Airport is of course one of the major airports in the country. So, it is of paramount importance that the Metrorail system in DC should connect the airport with rest of the city. That is why the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is an infrastructural project everyone is looking forward to.

Spanning over 23 miles, Orange Line's East Falls Church Station in Arlington, Virginia to the Washington Dulles International Airport and west to eastern Loudoun County. It would cover 11 stations and would be managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) is expected to cover most of the budget for the project.

“According to the Project Sponsors, the project is forecasted to achieve transportation and mobility benefits including the elimination of approximately 402 million vehicle miles travelled per year, over 300 tons of harmful auto emissions, and travel time savings of approximately 53 minutes per trip. The project is also expected to facilitate substantial transit-oriented development and job growth that will contribute approximately $1.2 billion in total economic impact and help to transform Tysons into a walkable, sustainable, urban center that Fairfax County estimates will be home to up to 100,000 residents and 200,000 jobs by 2050” (Transportation.gov).

A map of the planned extension (Image Credits: The Washington Post)

Sparvo Tunnel

Sparvo Tunnel

(Image Credits: Structurae)

Despite its financial crisis, Italy is trying to revamp its existing infrastructural system. One such project in their scheme of things is reconstructing part of the A1 ‘Autostrada’ highway, Europe’s oldest highway by extending it using the Sparvo Tunnel. Probably the busiest section of the highway (the route covers 90000 vehicles in a day between Florence-Bologna), the 2,413 m long Sparvo Tunnel with 2 parallel running bores.   

“In (a) government-funded transportation program, the world’s largest boring machine was used to create the 2.6‑kilometer Sparvo Tunnel, part of a‑US$208 million project improving road infrastructure between the Italian cities of Bologna and Florence. Judges noted the importance of maintaining strong national connectivity through Italy’s economic core, noting the 70 kilometer extension for the A1 ‘Autostrada’ highway will clear bottlenecks and shorten traffic journeys. The machine, named Martina, has a boring diameter of 15.615 meters and comprises two parallel tubes 2.5 kilometers in length.” (KPMG)

The project had been completed last year, after numerous delays. Yet this project has to be appreciated as the highway is being built on some of the difficult mountainous terrain one can encounter. The project has demanded some of the most complex tunnelling and viaduct works.