The Sixth Hydroelectric Unit was Replaced at Votkinskaya HPP

Replacement of the hydroelectric unit No. 8 has been completed at Votkinskaya HPP. It became the sixth fully upgraded hydroelectric unit out of ten installed at the power plant, as part of the RusHydro Comprehensive Modernization Program.

The equipment is manufactured in Russia, has improved technical specifications, is distinguished by reliability and high environmental safety. Upon completion of the tests provided for in the regulatory documentation the hydroelectric unit will be remarked with an increase in capacity from 100 MW up to 115 MW.

Hydroelectric unit No. 8 was put into operation in 1963, it worked for almost 60 years and reached a high degree of wear. During the modernization, which lasted about a year, the hydro turbine, generator and auxiliary equipment were replaced, and the automatic control system of the hydroelectric unit was upgraded. The installation was carried out by employees of RusHydro's subsidiary, Gidroremont-VKK.

Comprehensive Modernization Program of Votkinskaya HPP provides for the replacement of all ten hydroelectric units. Operation of the first one started in 2017, then new units were commissioned annually. After the work is completed, the capacity of the power plant will increase up to 1 150 MW, or by 13%.

RusHydro is implementing the Comprehensive Modernization Program (CMP) for hydro-generating facilities, within which it is planned to replace half of the fleet of turbines, generators and transformers of RusHydro HPP and PSPP. Such a large-scale program of upgrading outdated and worn-out equipment is unique and unprecedented for the domestic power industry. Its peculiarity is the focus not on the selective replacement of individual units and assemblies, but on the comprehensive modernization of generating facilities as single technological complexes, with the replacement or reconstruction of the main and auxiliary equipment, general power plant systems, hydro-technical utilities.

Over the 10 years of the CMP implementation, the increase in the installed capacity of RusHydro hydroelectric power plants amounted to 465 MW, which can be compared to the construction of another large HPP. During this time, 128 hydro turbines, 114 generators, 86 power transformers, as well as more than 10 thousand units of auxiliary equipment were replaced or upgraded.