VA TECH HYDRO IS TO SUPPLY hydro mechanical equipment for a hydro power plant in Bhutan. Leading an Austrian consortium that is acting as a general contractor, va-tech-hydro's share of the US$30M contract amounts to US$12M.
Other consortium members include alstom Power Austria who will provide the electrical equipment; Verbundplan will be responsible for construction planning; while Alpine Mayreder will carry out all of the civil work.
The contract for the lower stage of the 42MW Basochhu hydro power plant is a follow up order to the upper stage of the project which has been in operation since the end of 2001.
Start up of the new plant, described as a bypass plant featuring two horizontal 21MW Pelton units, is scheduled for 2004.
Construction of the lower stage of Basochhu will make it the second largest power facility in Bhutan. Situated near the city of Wangdue Phodrang, it will supply about 30,000 people with electricity.
