Voith has been awarded a contract to modernise the remaining two pump turbines at the Torrejón pumped storage power plant in Spain.
The order from Iberdrola Generación S.A. follows the ongoing modernisation of units 3 and 4 and continues the phased upgrade of the facility.
The new contract covers pump-turbines 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 32.5MW in turbine mode and 43MW in pump mode. Work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with initial commissioning planned for 2028.
As with units 3 and 4, which Voith was contracted to modernise in 2020, the two additional units will be designed for variable-speed operation.
Voith said the modernisation will involve adapting key plant components to enable more flexible operation and improved response to fluctuations in the power grid. The company said variable-speed operation will improve controllability and increase efficiency in both pump and turbine modes compared with constant-speed operation.
Fernando Perán Montero, Project Director at Iberdrola Generación S.A., said: “The modernisation allows us to respond better to changing grid requirements and to better maximise the plant’s potential. For the implementation, we can build on the positive experiences gained during the first phase of the project. This made the decision to move forward to the next step much easier.”
The company said the upgrades will adapt the existing infrastructure to new operating requirements and support the role of hydropower in providing flexibility to the energy system.
“Such modernisations require a deep understanding of the plant and its integration into the overall system,” said Andi Schmiedel, Head of Proposal at Voith Hydro. “We look forward to contributing our proven expertise here and continuing to implement the modernisation of the site together with Iberdrola.”
