OREANDA-NEWS. Alstom has been awarded by Latvenergo, the leading power company in Latvia, a contract worth over €100 million to refurbish 6 x 69 MW Kaplan units for the Riga hydropower plant, located on the 1,020 km long Daugauva river in Latvia.

The scope of the contract includes the refurbishment of the turbines, the generators, a new control system and auxiliary equipment. Alstom intends to use local companies in the execution of the contract. One unit per year will be refurbished for the next eight years and the renovation will be completed in 2022. As a result of the reconstruction, the annual production at the Riga hydropower plant will grow by at least 20 GWh.

The Riga hydropower plant is one of the three main hydropower plants of the country which produce more than 50% of the electricity in Latvia. The Riga hydropower plant produced 679 GWh of environmentally-friendly energy in 2013; its rehabilitation will extend its lifetime for at least 40 years and increase its efficiency. The refurbishment of Riga hydropower plant is part of Latvenergo’s €200 million investment programme in the Daugava river hydropower plants.

Above, the Riga hydropower plant. Courtesy of Latvernergo

“Alstom has a long standing experience in hydropower. Our dedicated team will be fully committed to refurbish the Riga hydropower plant in a manner that improves reliability, lowers long term operating costs, and benefits the environment. This contract shows our commitment to the Latvian hydro market’’ declares Eric Staurset, Alstom Nordic & Baltic countries Director.

“The Riga hydropower plant is strategically important for energy supply in Latvia, and we will be able to raise the efficiency of the hydropower plant and enhance its operation safety for the coming decades. We have chosen Alstom because they will implement specific solutions reducing the outage duration of each unit to the benefit of Latvenergo’’ says M?ris Ku?ickis, AS Latvenergo Production Director.

With an installed base accounting for a quarter of the world’s hydro facilities, Alstom has developed extensive experience assessing and servicing, retrofitting and modernizing power plants in operation. Alstom Hydro supports plant operators, owners and investors to reduce the total cost of ownership thanks to a comprehensive asset management programme. 

Above, a Kaplan hydro turbine. ©Alstom