On December 3, 2017, local time in Ecuador, the remaining section of the diversion tunnel cofferdam was completed after 18.5 hours’ work on it, the diversion tunnel sluice was successfully lowered after the impounded water level became higher than the bottom hole at the height of 745.5 meters and the water passed through the hole, and the dam began to fill water.

The MINAS-SAN FRANCISCO HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT is the third largest hydropower plant in Ecuador. Lowering the diversion tunnel sluice was a key point of the dam construction and also the prerequisite for filling the diversion tunnel with water and the unit commissioning, which has great significance to the overall construction of the MINAS-SAN FRANCISCO HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT. The MINAS Project Department of HEI has actively arranged for Sinohydro Bureau 8 Co., Ltd.to prepare the dam filling construction plan in advance and strictly lowered the diversion tunnel sluice according to the plan. Sinohydro Bureau 8 Co., Ltd. has strictly observed the requirements of the local laws on the continuous water flow in the downstream of the dam for ecological protection, successfully promoted and completed the construction of the unfinished section of the diversion tunnel cofferdam and lowered the diversion tunnel sluice, vigorously cooperated supported by the owner, supervisors and sub-contractors.

At present, the Minas Project Department of HEI and the sub-contractor have been working hard on the dam impoundment work and filling the diversion tunnel with water with all their strength.