The 212MW San Francisco hydroelectric project in Ecuador is back to full operation following the overhaul of one the project’s generating units, CELEC EP HIDROAGOYÁN has announced.
Unit No 2 was returned to generation on 16 February following the maintenance which took 102 days and was carried out as scheduled. Maintenance work is carried out every eight years to achieve a complete recovery of the useful life of the main equipment, turbine and generator. Unlike previous overhaul’s however, the current work involved placing new impeller covers, both lower and upper, and a repaired impeller. These works were carried out at the Center for Research and Recovery of Turbines and Industrial Parts (CIRT), also managed by CELEC EP, which generated notable savings in economic resources for the country.
According to Daniel Paredes, head of the San Francisco power plant, many benefits are expected to be obtained from this major maintenance, such as guaranteeing the energy supply of almost 5.2% of the country's electrical energy demand, improving the efficiency of the drive, reduced forced outs and extended drive life.
