In May 2021, when the coronavirus raged across the Africa, three employees of China Yangtze Power Co., Ltd. (CYPC), Song Peng, Zhang Ren and Gui Shi, were dispatched to Uganda’s Isimba Hydropower Plant (HPP) to conduct project management consulting, and to solve the technical problems during the warranty period for the Isimba Project Department of China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE). Over the past six months of overseas work, the trio team gave a good performance which fully represented the spirit of CYPC to the African cooperators.

China Yangtze Power International (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. (CYPI)’s operation and maintenance team for technical consulting in Isimba, Uganda. (Photo courtesy of CYPI)

  In early October, the main shaft seals of Unit #1 and Unit #2 of Isimba HPP had a large amount of water leakage, which caused the Unit #1 to trip during operation and needed an emergency repair. Based on the previous evidence collection and on-the-site investigation, the CYPC’s team accurately estimated the fault and gave the treatment scheme. Under the technical guidance of CYPC’s project team, the proprietor replaced the upper sealing strips of two units, and the overhaul plan was shortened to five days, which greatly saved time and increased the effectiveness of power generation. After the treatment of the main shaft seal defect, the proprietor highly recognized the CYPC’s capability in operation and maintenance, and expressed their strong wish to have deep cooperation on technology exchanges.

Zhang Ren, the team member of the consulting group, detected the defects at the switch station (Photo courtesy of CYPI)

Currently, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Ugandan ranks top five in Africa. CYPI and Isimba project team worked out emergency plans and appointed an emergency contact person, so as to ensure the safety of the team members. Before leaving Uganda, team members have been taken the nucleic acid and serum tests in Isimba project base and Uganda’s capital Kampala, according to the local requirements of epidemic prevention and control. However, after the completion of the project, some scheduled flights were suspended due to the pandemic. After overcoming various hardships, the team finally managed to land safely at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at BJT 12 a.m. on November 5, 2021.