Andritz has won a contract for the rehabilitation and modernization of the entire electro-mechanical equipment, including the inspection and repair of nine penstocks, for the Nurek hydropower plant in the Republic of Tajikistan.
The contract, valued at just over €120 million, was awarded by Barqi Tojik. The refurb project is being funded by the World Bank.
With a current installed capacity of 3000MW, Nurek is the largest hydropower plant in Central Asia and covers more than 70% of the national electrical energy demand.
The objectives of the Nurek Hydropower Rehabilitation Project for Tajikistan are to rehabilitate and restore the generating capacity of nine power generating units at Nurek hydropower plant, improve their efficiency, and enhance the safety of the Nurek dam.
Andritz’s scope of supply comprises comprehensive modernization of the existing nine generating units by supplying and installing new 380MW Francis turbines and generators, including new transformers, as well as the electrical and mechanical auxiliary equipment within the power house. After modernization, the installed capacity of the generating units will be increased by about 12%.
The design of the new units takes account of the plant’s annual storage operations and will, therefore, be suitable for operation with a wide range of heads. Together with the Rogun hydropower plant, which is under construction and located upstream of the Nurek reservoir, this project will optimize water storage management on the Vaksh river cascade, ensuring a significant increase in electrical energy production by the Nurek hydropower station as well as meeting the changing grid demands. The contract also stipulates that environmental conservation measures and water management requirements must be incorporated.
