VA Tech Hydro has announced it has won a €55M contract for the overhaul and modernisation of bulb turbine sets for Hidroelectrica's Gogosu plant on a side arm of the Danube in Romania.The project was awarded in addition to previous contracts won for the Iron Gates I and II hydro schemes.
Based at the same reservoir, Gogosu shares many similarities with the Iron Gates II project, which comprised refurbishment and modernisation of eight bulb turbines and generators. Gogosu will see an additional two units of the same size refurbished, uprated from 28MW to 32.5MW.
Model pre-tests for both the Gogosu contract and the Iron Gates II project were performed successfully under the supervision and participation of Hidroelectrica’s delegates in May 2003, at the independent Hydraulic Test Laboratory in Lausanne. Subsequently, one unit per year will be rehabilitated over the next decade.
Following the modernisation, output will be increased by approximately 15% and installation of new core components will increase efficiency by more than 1%. As a result, the utilisation of the Danube river’s hydro power will be improved, increasing the ability to meet peaks in electricity demand.