Canadian utility Hydro-Quebec has awarded global technology company Voith a contract to replace six units, including turbines and generators, at the 80-year-old Rapide-Blanc hydro plant in northern Quebec, Canada.
The contract also covers the refurbishment of all embedded components and installation of digitally-controlled governor units.
The new units will be more efficient, designed to last at least 70 years, and allow production of approximately 10% more energy with the same amount of water, Voith said.
Voith will build new runners at its plant in York, Pennsylvania, and generator coils in Mississauga, Ontario.
Engineering and support functions are underway in Brossard, in York and in Vasteras, Sweden, with initial activities underway since January.
Site work and assembly will start in 2021 and, after commissioning, the contract is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Voith Hydro North America vice president of account management Francois Vallee said: “Our longstanding relationship with Hydro-Québec is important to us, and Voith has a dedicated French-speaking, Québec-based office that fully supports our work and commitment with this customer.”