AGL commence major refurbishment works on the West Kiewa Hydro power plant

AGL Energy Limited (AGL) today announced that it will commence a major refurbishment  program at its West Kiewa Power Station from 26 March 2013 until 30 July 2013. The refurbishment program includes installing new turbines and main inlet valves in the power  station. The program demonstrates AGL’s ongoing commitment to the renewable energy resources available from the existing Kiewa Hydro-electric Scheme.
As a result of the works, AGL expects that residents will see a minor increase in traffic flow on the road that runs into West Kiewa Power Station from Mt Beauty. River flow changes will comply with the correct rates of rise and fall, as required by AGL’s water agreement with Goulburn Murray Water. The following changes to the Kiewa River flows are as follows;

The West Kiewa River running past the spillway and Mt Beauty Caravan Park will· revert to natural flows as releases from the Mt Beauty Regulating Pondage will cease for the duration of the refurbishment works.
The East Kiewa River flows will increase over this period as the natural inflows into  the Junction Dam will be diverted from the Kiewa Scheme, by spilling over the wall  at Clover Dam to maintain minimum flows in the Kiewa River.
Additional flows resulting from rainfall will be spilled over Clover Dam.
Residents and tourists in the East Kiewa area that are hiking, horse riding or four wheel  driving throughout the Easter break or over the coming months may notice increased river  levels at the end of Rock Pool Road in Mt Beauty and at the East Kiewa River crossing  below Clover Dam wall. AGL advises all recreational users of these crossings to be safe and  mindful that the river flows may increase at any time which may prevent the use of these crossings at times.
AGL’s intention is to maintain water in the Mt Beauty Regulating Pondage (the lake in Mt  Beauty) however at some stage it will be necessary to empty the pondage to carry out  maintenance works in the Power Station tailrace and on the Pondage’s outlet gate. AGL  will advise scheduled dates for these activities in the coming weeks.