POWER OF PROGRESS
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✎ Suggest a correctionThis documentary by Costain International, "Power of Progress" showcases four major infrastructure projects across the globe, highlighting how the management of water and electricity drives national development. Costain Group plc is a British construction and engineering company headquartered in London, England.
0:00—Main titles. Sri Lanka: The Victoria Hydroelectric Project In the lush, high-rainfall central highlands, Sri Lanka sought to modernize its economy through increased electricity.
The Project: Costain built a massive powerhouse 5 km downstream from the Victoria Dam on the Mahawelli River. Engineering: 200,000 cubic meters of local rock were crushed to create the concrete powerhouse. Three 70-megawatt generators were installed, capable of powering most of Colombo. Impact (7:18): The scheme increased Sri Lanka’s power capacity by 35%, reducing reliance on expensive thermal electricity.
8:07 — Dubai: Desert Water Conservation In the arid Arabian desert, progress is limited by the scarcity of water, which is often lost during rare, violent flash floods. The Project: Costain constructed "desert dams" (such as Wadi Gulfa) designed not to hold water on the surface, but to trap flash floods. The Science: The dam forces water to seep into the rock substructure, creating an underground reservoir. Impact (9:36): Pumping stations bring this water back to the surface for drinking and irrigation, reclaiming the desert for "lush oases" and agriculture.
10:34 — Nigeria: The Oshun State Water SchemeIn Southwest Nigeria, growing populations and rising expectations led to one of the country's most ambitious water projects. The Project: A $150 million network designed to bring pure piped water to 2 million people across 40 towns.
Scope: The project included a new dam on the Arinley River (100 million cubic meter capacity), 59 storage towers, and 860 km of pipeline. Impact (15:47): By feeding pipelines through crowded villages, the project provided 35 million gallons of water a day, fundamentally changing the local standard of living.
16:16 — Zimbabwe: The Rufaro Dam Facing cycles of extreme drought and a growing population in Marandera, Zimbabwe required a stable water supply for its expanding industries.
The Project: Costain built the Rufaro Dam, a 1,000-meter-wide structure standing 25 meters high.
Engineering: The dam utilized a unique vertical concrete spillway shaft (4 meters in diameter) and 400,000 cubic meters of earthfill. Impact (19:31): Completed in 1985 just as the rains returned, the dam captured 5 million cubic meters of water, securing the region's storage needs.
20:13 — Conclusion: The Costain Legacy The film concludes by highlighting Costain's 35-year history of global infrastructure. It emphasizes the group's ability to offer "ingenuity and adaptability" across different terrains and climates, positioning the company as the primary "power behind the progress."
0:00—Main titles. Sri Lanka: The Victoria Hydroelectric Project In the lush, high-rainfall central highlands, Sri Lanka sought to modernize its economy through increased electricity.
The Project: Costain built a massive powerhouse 5 km downstream from the Victoria Dam on the Mahawelli River. Engineering: 200,000 cubic meters of local rock were crushed to create the concrete powerhouse. Three 70-megawatt generators were installed, capable of powering most of Colombo. Impact (7:18): The scheme increased Sri Lanka’s power capacity by 35%, reducing reliance on expensive thermal electricity.
8:07 — Dubai: Desert Water Conservation In the arid Arabian desert, progress is limited by the scarcity of water, which is often lost during rare, violent flash floods. The Project: Costain constructed "desert dams" (such as Wadi Gulfa) designed not to hold water on the surface, but to trap flash floods. The Science: The dam forces water to seep into the rock substructure, creating an underground reservoir. Impact (9:36): Pumping stations bring this water back to the surface for drinking and irrigation, reclaiming the desert for "lush oases" and agriculture.
10:34 — Nigeria: The Oshun State Water SchemeIn Southwest Nigeria, growing populations and rising expectations led to one of the country's most ambitious water projects. The Project: A $150 million network designed to bring pure piped water to 2 million people across 40 towns.
Scope: The project included a new dam on the Arinley River (100 million cubic meter capacity), 59 storage towers, and 860 km of pipeline. Impact (15:47): By feeding pipelines through crowded villages, the project provided 35 million gallons of water a day, fundamentally changing the local standard of living.
16:16 — Zimbabwe: The Rufaro Dam Facing cycles of extreme drought and a growing population in Marandera, Zimbabwe required a stable water supply for its expanding industries.
The Project: Costain built the Rufaro Dam, a 1,000-meter-wide structure standing 25 meters high.
Engineering: The dam utilized a unique vertical concrete spillway shaft (4 meters in diameter) and 400,000 cubic meters of earthfill. Impact (19:31): Completed in 1985 just as the rains returned, the dam captured 5 million cubic meters of water, securing the region's storage needs.
20:13 — Conclusion: The Costain Legacy The film concludes by highlighting Costain's 35-year history of global infrastructure. It emphasizes the group's ability to offer "ingenuity and adaptability" across different terrains and climates, positioning the company as the primary "power behind the progress."
Sources
- YouTube channel: PeriscopeFilm · video ↗ — title, description, video
Record added 2026-11-14 02:52:51 · Suggest a correction