Verbund-Austrian Hydro Power (AHP) ordered the penstocks and motor generators, including electrical equipment such as excitation systems and frequency converters, for the Limberg II pump storage power station, Austria. Limberg II is the underground extension of the existing storage power station Kaprun. With two additional pump turbines and motor generator units, this more than doubles the installed capacity.
In August 2006, a contract with civil company Veidekke, Norway for a complete electro-mechanical package for the 84 MW Pelton power plant in Kjosnesfjorden, Norway was signed. Andritz VA TECH HYDRO has been successful in Norway for several years in the modernization of small hydropower. With this contract, it has been able to extend its activities into the Large Hydro segment.
Cleuson-Dixence Construction SA, Switzerland awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the penstock of the 1,200 MW hydropower plant. VA TECH HYDRO GmbH is the leader in a consortium with MCE Industrietechnik Linz, and is in charge of design and supply of the equipment. The total weight of the new steel lining is 12,600 tons. The design pressure of 200 bars is presently the worldwide highest design pressure for a penstock of a hydropower plant. The award of this contract sets another milestone in the Business Area’s history in penstock construction.
VA TECH HYDRO GmbH signed a contract with Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD, Bulgaria for the refurbishment of the Dolna Arda hydropower plant cascade. The project involves the renovation of three power plants with a total of 11 units and an output of 270 MW, and the installation of one new unit. A decisive factor for the award was Andritz VA TECH HYDRO’s global experience in hydropower plant refurbishments and, in particular, the numerous projects already realized in Bulgaria.
After the Tsankov Kamak hydropower plant, which is currently under construction, Dolna Arda is the second project realized between Austria and Bulgaria based on the stipulations of the Kyoto Protocol. The emission certificates generated will be allotted to Austria’s Kyoto targets.
Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), Mexico awarded a contract for the modernization and rehabilitation of the Infiernillo hydropower plant located on the river Balsas in the State of Guerrero, Mexico. The project comprises the modernization of four turbines at Mexico’s third largest hydropower station. A CFD study to increase turbine output from 160 to 200 MW will be done in order to optimize the hydraulic profile and behavior of the Francis runners.
The state utility CADAFE, Venezuela signed a contract for the modernization of the Pena Larga hydropower station. Besides the installation of two new 20 MW Francis turbine runners, the complete automation system, the turbine governors, the electrical excitation, and protection system will be replaced by state-of-the-art technology and a modern online monitoring and diagnostic system.
The state-owned enterprise EDELCA, Venezuela signed a contract with the Consortium EUROBRAS for the supply of five large Francis turbines. The consortium is led by VA TECH ESCHER WYSS Ravensburg, a company of Andritz VA TECH HYDRO. The turbines will be installed at the second powerhouse of the Simon Bolivar power plant in Guri on the Caroni River, which is the biggest tributary in the Orinoco river basin. With a maximum output of 770 MW per unit, the turbines of Guri 2 belong to the most powerful in the world. Each single Francis runner will have a finished weight of almost 200 tons.
Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd., India awarded the contract for Stage II of the Varahi underground power plant, comprising the installation of 2 x 115 MW Pelton turbines, generators, automation system, and the complete balance of the plant. This order confirms the strong market position of Andritz VA TECH HYDRO in India.
PNG Power Limited ordered the upgrade and rehabilitation of the Rouna 2 hydropower station in Papua New Guinea. Rouna 2, located 40 kilometres northeast of Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby, is the uppermost of four power stations of the Rouna hydro scheme, all using the waters of the Laloki River to supply Port Moresby with electricity. PNG Power Limited decided to rehabilitate the station to guarantee reliable operation, to achieve modern working safety standards, and to extend its operational life by another 20 to 30 years. Additionally, the unit power will be increased by more than 30%.
Ethiopian state utility Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO) – through its turnkey contractor Salini Costruttori s.p.a. – placed an order to supply four 115 MW Francis turbines. The hydropower plant at the Beles River will be the largest hydropower station in Ethiopia. This order, once again, confirms the successful partnership between EEPCO and Andritz VA TECH HYDRO, which has lasted for more than 40 years.
Vattenfall Europe Generation, Germany’s largest hydropower utility, ordered an automation system (NEPTUN), including a digital protection system for the modernization of its Markersbach pumped storage station. After completion of this upgrade, it will be possible to operate Markersbach by remote control from the area control center of Goldisthal. This is another important success in the cooperation with Vattenfall Europe Generation.
The Business Area was awarded a large number of orders for centrifugal pumps in China, thus further strengthening Andritz’s market leadership in this region.
In the Sudan, a large order for spare parts for irrigation pumping stations came into force.
An order for eight large pumps for the “South Water to North China“ large-scale project was received. In addition, two major orders for the supply of core components for water power stations in China were put into force.