Work was due to begin in September on a contract to rehabilitate and upgrade three hydro plants in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Engineering and project management for the upgrades have been supplied, under a C$60M contract, by the SNC-Lavalin Group of Canada.
The contracts have been awarded by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), with financing provided by Canada’s Export Development Corporation. Over a three year period the plants at Pallivasal, Panniar and Sengulam will undergo work including: refurbishing or replacing turbines and generators; replacement of governors; provision of new control and protection systems; and refurbishment or replacement of valves.
Engineering and project management for the work will be carried out by a team of SNC-Lavellin and KSEB, but over the course of the project around 15 manufacturers of hydro and associated equipment are expected to be involved in the project. Suppliers will be chosen on a competitive bidding basis; however, the winner must meet EDC’s Canadian content requirements.
