First Hydro Company, the 75:25 joint venture between ENGIE and La Caisse, has selected GE Vernova for the next phase of the modernisation of the Dinorwig pumped storage hydropower plant in North Wales, UK.
Under the agreement, GE Vernova will replace the first two of the plant’s six 315MW pumped storage units as part of First Hydro’s long-term replanting programme. The work is intended to improve the plant’s reliability, availability and efficiency while extending its operational life by at least 25 years.
The two new units are expected to be in service by the end of the decade, supporting the continued delivery of fast-response generation for the UK electricity system.
Commissioned more than 40 years ago, Dinorwig has an installed capacity of 1728MW and is capable of delivering up to 1320MW within 12 seconds from standby and up to 1800MW in under a minute. The plant plays a key role in grid resilience, frequency response and renewable energy integration.
The wider refurbishment programme includes the replacement of major components across all six generating units, together with infrastructure upgrades.
“This contract marks an important milestone in our long-term investment programme at Dinorwig,” said Delphine Cherel-Sparham, Managing Director of ENGIE Hydro UK. “As majority owner and operator of the plant, ENGIE is committed to ensuring Dinorwig continues to provide the flexibility, resilience and energy storage capabilities that the UK electricity system increasingly depends upon. Together with GE Vernova, we are investing in the modernization of key generating units to help secure the plant’s performance for decades to come.”
Emmanuel Mercier, GE Vernova’s Hydro Power EMEA Leader, added: “This project is a strong example of how GE Vernova can bring innovation and engineering expertise to a landmark hydro asset. Dinorwig is a highly strategic facility for the UK power system, and we are proud to support First Hydro Company in strengthening the reliability and performance of this important plant.”
The announcement follows successful model test validation of the upgraded pumped storage unit at GE Vernova’s testing laboratory in Grenoble, France.
GE Vernova’s scope includes supplying upgraded motor generators and pump turbines, refurbishing embedded components including the spiral case, stay ring and draft tube, and upgrading the station control system along with low-voltage, medium-voltage and DC power supply systems.
The pump turbines and motor generators were engineered at GE Vernova’s hydro centres of excellence in Grenoble, France, and Birr, Switzerland. The project will also incorporate equipment and systems supplied by GE Vernova’s Power Conversion, Grid Solutions and Gas Power businesses.
Through First Hydro Company, ENGIE and La Caisse own and operate the Dinorwig and Ffestiniog pumped storage stations in North Wales, which together have an installed capacity of 2.1GW, representing around 74% of the UK’s pumped storage hydropower capacity.
