Alstom Signs Hydro Modernization Contract

Alstom has won a US$64 million contract from utility Hydro-Québec to modernize the Robert-Bourassa hydropower facility in Canada.

The dam is located on the La Grande River in northern Quebec. At 5,615-megawatts, Robert-Bourassa is the world’s largest undergrand generating station, according to Alstom. The French power equipment manufacturer will add an additional 1,332 megawatts of capacity to the station.

Alstom will supply four 333-megawatt Francis turbines and refurbish two turbine generator units. It will also provide new components including a ring gate, distributor, servomotors and a turbine sharft for unit 1. Commissioning of the first upgraded unit is scheduled for autumn 2013.

The contract includes an option to supply four more runners for units 4 - 8 and modernize six additional turbine-generator units.