Oslo’s Clean Water Tunnel, has introduced Norway’s first electric dump trucks in its construction site

The Ghella-AF Gruppen Join Venture, constructing Oslo’s Clean Water Tunnel, has introduced Norway’s first electric dump trucks in its construction site. The dumpers are used to transport rock inside the tunnel system that will be part of Oslo's new water supply.
 
Electric wheel loaders and an electric grader are also in operation on the Clean Water Tunnel project. The grader is the first of its kind in the world. In addition, electric locomotives will be used to move materials, tunnel segments and personnel to the TBM.

Electrification represents one of the main ways our construction sites contribute to Ghella’s ESG targets. This choice not only significantly cuts atmospheric emissions and improves local air quality, but also allows us to lower carbon emissions overall, particularly in countries like Norway where the share of renewables in the grid is high.

The power consumption of the fans and the risk of fire in the tunnel are also reduced thanks to the choice of electric machinery and vehicles, further enhancing the overall carbon savings and improving safety levels.

Electrifying the machinery is just one of many measures aiming to reduce carbon emissions in construction projects. Using fewer resources, selecting low-carbon concrete, and embedding sustainability in design and construction can result in both lower emissions and less impact on the environment.

The E6 Clean Water Project includes the construction of a new water distribution network, between Huseby, Oset and Stubberud. The project is part of the creation of a water reserve for the population of Oslo and involves the construction of a new drinking water supply system consisting mainly of transmission lines, pumping stations and clean water basins, as well as connections to existing main pipelines and to the water treatment plant in Oset.

The New Water Supply Oslo includes: the Holsfjorden water supply tunnel, the underground water treatment plant in Huseby and the pre-treated water transfer tunnel from Huseby to Stubberud. It will connect to the water treatment plant already in operation, strengthening the link between east and west Oslo.

The project’s execution ensures, always and in any case, a correct supply of drinking water, avoiding that the population of the Norwegian capital suffers in case of malfunctions of the current water system.