Andritz Hydro is to supply two Pelton turbines and one synchronous generator as part of the project to extend Innertkirchen 1 and Handeck 2 hydropower stations in Switzerland.
The order - received from Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO) - comprises supply, installation, and commissioning of two vertical, six-jet Pelton turbines with an output of 150 and 90MW, respectively, and a vertical synchronous generator (165MVA) including additional equipment. This upgrade will boost the overall output of the two hydro power plants - which were built over 60 years ago - by 280MW to reach 670MW.
By building a second headrace, the flow rate of the water and thus the friction losses in the pressure pipes will be reduced. As a result, more energy can be generated from the water volume used in both power stations. A new return water reservoir also upgrades the plant to provide ecological benefits.
With 26 units in nine hydropower plants, KWO, one of Switzerland's leading hydropower plant operators, provides a total output of approximately 2350GWh, representing around 7% of the total output from all Swiss hydropower plants.
