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Solutions for marine pollution control, coastal and shoreline protection to effectively address environmental concerns
View All Products
Solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure and other high-security areas
View All Products
End-to-end solutions for environmental protection, safety and security applications that protect, monitor and regenerate marine environments.
View All Solutions
For marine pollution control, coastal and shoreline protection to effectively address environmental concerns
View All Services
Tailored expertise for the industries we serve, supporting coastlines and waterways with proven solutions from concept through to long-term operation and protection.
View All Industries
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Floating debris is a serious issue for hydropower plants across Africa. Logs, branches and vegetation can obstruct intake structures. They can also damage infrastructure and force costly shutdowns for maintenance. A major hydropower facility in Rwanda faced this situation. Seasonal floods brought significant volumes of debris downstream. To address this, the client needed a reliable debris control solution in Rwanda that would protect the plant’s intake area. They also needed to ensure uninterrupted power generation.
One of the goals was to reduce manual intervention and lower operational costs. It was also important to extend equipment lifespan through effective hydropower debris management.
We developed a custom-engineered Bolina Log Screen Boom to address the site’s specific environmental and operational conditions. Our team designed a floating barrier system tailored to the river’s flow dynamics and debris load. In addition, the system was also customised to match the site’s existing infrastructure layout.
Key design considerations included:
1. Buoyancy and anchoring strength to handle seasonal fluctuations in river flow.
2. Debris deflection performance suited to the type and volume of floating material observed at the site.
3. Ease of access for maintenance teams, integrated into the barrier design.
The system was fabricated using high-strength components built for durability and minimal maintenance. It ensures long-term hydropower debris protection even in challenging river conditions.
As a result, following the installation of the custom-engineered floating barrier system, the hydropower plant experienced a marked improvement in operational efficiency. The volume of debris reaching the intake area was drastically reduced, which minimised the risk of blockages. It also significantly decreased the need for manual intervention. This allowed plant operators to focus on core maintenance tasks. They can finally work without constant disruption from floating debris removal.
The success of the system has not gone unnoticed. The client expressed strong satisfaction with the performance of the barrier. They praised the tailored engineering approach behind it as well. Based on these results, the solution has been recommended to other hydropower operators across Africa. This reinforces its value as a practical and scalable approach to hydropower debris control.
This debris control project in Rwanda highlights the importance of site-specific engineering in solving environmental challenges. Off-the-shelf products often fail to meet the unique demands of complex hydropower environments. In a sector where small disruptions can have major consequences, customised debris control systems play a vital role. They protect valuable hydropower assets from damage and downtime.
For energy providers seeking to reduce maintenance costs and increase operational stability, a purpose-built floating debris boom is a proven solution. This is especially effective when tailored to local conditions.
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Looking for a debris control solution designed for your site?
Contact us to learn how our custom-engineered barriers can protect your hydropower facility and local waterways from plastic pollution and floating debris.
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Hydropower intakes can be clogged by logs, branches, vegetation and aquatic plants found in the river like hyacinth, including man-made trash. This often happens during flooding periods. These materials can obstruct intake structures, reduce water flow, lower generation efficiency and increase maintenance needs if not properly managed with effective debris control systems.
Ecocoast’s barriers are highly scalable and adaptable to different hydropower sites worldwide. Their customized floating barrier systems have been successfully implemented at diverse locations, such as hydropower plants in Rwanda and Belgium, by tailoring engineering solutions to each site’s specific conditions, water levels and operational needs. This approach allows effective debris control and protection at a wide range of hydropower facilities.
Ecocoast barriers are engineered to minimize environmental impact by using sustainable materials, such as fully recyclable, foam-free designs that significantly reduce raw material use and carbon footprint. Their barriers, like the Ecobarrier Silt Curtain Green, contain silt and sediment, prevent marine ecosystem disruption and support compliance with environmental regulations, all while maintaining high performance and durability.
Ecocoast can implement a debris control system rapidly, often delivering turnkey solutions from site assessment to installation within a short timeframe, depending on project complexity and site conditions. Their engineering-driven approach, including custom design and on-site evaluation, ensures efficient deployment and immediate improvement in debris management for critical infrastructure like hydropower plants.
A custom-engineered solution is needed instead of an off-the-shelf barrier because every hydropower site has unique environmental, operational and debris challenges that standard products cannot fully address. Custom barriers are tailored to specific site conditions, such as water flow, debris types and intake design, ensuring maximum protection, efficiency and reduced maintenance needs, which off-the-shelf options often fail to deliver.
Yes. The Rwanda case study highlights multiple cost-saving benefits:
The Bolina Log Screen Boom features robust, interlinked mesh panels that extend below the water surface to capture both floating and submerged debris. Swivel connectors allow flexible installation and adaptation to changing water levels. Its durable construction and high visibility make it ideal for protecting hydropower intakes from a wide range of debris while minimizing maintenance.
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