Preventive maintenance at the Lake Mainit hydropower plant in the Philippines has resolved a critical main inlet valve issue, reducing the risk of unplanned outages and supporting continued power generation at the facility.
The issue was identified through digital monitoring, which detected a variation in the actuation time of the main inlet valve on Unit 1. The finding prompted corrective work during the plant’s first annual preventive maintenance, carried out under a long-term service agreement with Voith.
The seven-day maintenance program included replacement of the Unit 1 main inlet valve seals and correction of a misalignment that had prevented the valve from closing to its original design specification. According to Voith, the valve now closes fully and within the specified time, improving operational reliability and safety.
The Lake Mainit hydropower plant was commissioned in 2023 and operates three vertical Francis turbines with a combined installed capacity of 24.9 megawatts. In early 2024, the plant operator signed a long-term service agreement with Voith that included a computerized maintenance management system. This was later supplemented with the Hydro Pocket digital monitoring system and OnCare.Diagnostic services.
A digital health assessment conducted in late 2024 formed part of these services and enabled early detection of the valve issue. Voith said the use of digital tools allows potential equipment problems to be identified and addressed before they lead to plant shutdowns.
“The precision of Voith’s digital diagnostics identified a hidden issue. Their proactive approach and seamless execution during maintenance not only prevented a potential shutdown but also guaranteed the long-term reliability of our facility,” said Angelo A. Panganiban, Plant Manager at the Lake Mainit hydropower plant.
The maintenance work was completed with support from Voith specialists, local service providers, and technical staff from J-Power. The operator said the successful completion of the maintenance marks an important step in ensuring stable and reliable operation of the hydropower facility.
