Mumbai-based Patel Engineering Ltd has been recently awarded a joint contract associated with the Taum Sauk Upper Reservoir Dam Reconstruction Project in the US. The Taum Sauk is a pumped storage plant located in the St. Francois mountain region of the Missouri Ozarks, approximately 145 km south of St. Louis near Lesterville, Missouri.
On completion of the $280 million contract, the dam will be proclaimed as the largest RCC dam in the US. The Taum Sauk Plant is owned and operated by AmerenUE, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, St Louis. A negotiated contract between Ameren and Ozark Constructors LLC (a 50-50 joint venture between ASI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Patel Engineering and Fred Weber, Inc. respectively) will see the project through.
The Tom Sauk Plant is a reversible pumped storage project used to supplement the generation and transmission facilities of AmerenUE. Ozark LLC has been chosen to rehabilitate the existing dam at Tom Sauk. The scope of work involves rebuilding the existing inoperable upper reservoir with the construction of a concrete-faced symmetrical roller compacted concrete dam.
Commenting on the development, Rupen Patel, Managing Director, Patel Engineering Ltd, said, "This project is a landmark event in the Indian construction sector as it is for the first time that an Indian construction company has penetrated the most stringent and demanding western market."
Patel further added, "Successful implementation of projects demands latest technology solutions and cutting edge project management skills. These skills coupled with inexpensive and experienced labour from India will help us compete against some of the existing giants in the global infrastructure arena."
"The company is already in the process of scaling up its US operations in the next few years," Patel continued. The company has executed dam projects in the US, at Buffalo in Wyoming and Colorado.
ASI's expertise lies in roller compacted concrete dam construction, which was acquired by Patel Engineering Ltd through its US acquisitions. PEL has successfully completed more than 120 dams and dam modification projects in 18 states in India and four countries.
Fred Weber, Inc. is a heavy civil and highway contracting company engaged in mining, aggregate processing and construction of highways and bridges in St Louis. Currently, the company is the region's largest material supplier.