Local news South and Central America
25/09/2023: ANDRITZ Hydro welcomes Romeu Zema in Vienna and confirms the establishment of a company unit in Minas Gerais
On September 15th, 2023, ANDRITZ Hydro received Romeu Zema, Governor of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, along with his delegation and members of CEMIG - Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais, at the company's headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
During the visit, Managing Director of ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil, Dieter Hopf, presented the portfolio, the latest developments to support the energy transition, and new products for the mining sector in Brazil. Additionally, other projects were presented, including pump storage power plants that work in conjunction with solar parks and a pioneering solution for producing E-Methanol from green hydrogen and carbon capture.
The new company unit in Governador Valadares aims to integrate the supply chain from Minas into the ANDRITZ’ products, thereby increasing the added value in the state. The start of operations is still expected for this year.
"We are proud to announce the confirmation of one of the largest private investments in the Rio Doce region in recent years. ANDRITZ is a recognized global supplier of equipment for large industries and brings all the expertise to further strengthen this sector in Minas and generate significant employment in our state," declared the governor.
"ANDRITZ has shown impressive growth in Brazil in recent years through its innovative products and customized services for the Brazilian industry. We are leaders in global megatrends, such as the energy transition and contribute to environmentally friendly mining. This partnership with the government of Minas Gerais comes at a decisive and important moment for the company, which sees constant expansion of national and international clients. The participation of CEMIG, one of the protagonists in Brazil's energy transition, could be an additional growth driver for ANDRITZ, especially in Minas Gerais operations," explained Dieter Hopf.
Invest Minas, an agency linked to the State Secretariat of Economic Development, played a significant role in identifying Minas Gerais companies that could become part of ANDRITZ's supply chain.
For João Paulo Braga, CEO of Invest Minas, the arrival of ANDRITZ will open up many business opportunities. "The Austrian company operates in sectors where Minas Gerais is a leader in Brazil and the world, such as mining, metal mechanics, agribusiness, and energy. Moreover, there are opportunities for Minas Gerais companies to be suppliers of inputs and, especially, contract manufacturing, strengthening, and generating jobs throughout the production chain," he emphasized.
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08/09/2023: ANDRITZ Hydro received further important contract with EPM in Colombia
With the aim of further expanding its presence in the Latin American hydro energy market, ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil, with the support of ANDRITZ Hydro Colombia, has finalized the signing of an important contract with EPM - Empresas Públicas de Medellín for the rehabilitation of the Playas hydropower plant.
The El General Hydropower Plant is located about 50 km from San José and 102 km from Puerto Limón on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica. It features....
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07/09 2023: Exciting News about the El General hydropower project in Costa Rica!
We are pleased to have achieved the successful delivery of spare parts, two upper turbine covers for Units I and II, along with two lower cover pieces.
The El General Hydropower Plant is located about 50 km from San José and 102 km from Puerto Limón on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica. It features....
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04/09/2023: ANDRITZ Team at Jaguara Hydropower Plant: Stator Extraction
In June, the team working on the Jaguara Hydropower Plant Modernization Project successfully carried out the removal of the stator, which was completely replaced.
Due to plant restrictions, the removal of the original stator involved a complex study by the engineering and rigging team.
Safety is our top priority, and for this.....
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10/08/2023: ANDRITZ receives major modernization order for Jaguara hydropower plant, Brazil
The Brazilian company ENGIE Brasil Energia awarded international technology group ANDRITZ a contract for modernization of the Brazilian Jaguara hydropower plant.
Located in Rifaina, State of Sao Paulo, the 424 MW hydropower plant is an important asset of....
Read more in the Press Release...
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25/07/2023: Consortium Saceem - ANDRITZ was awarded the modernization of the Rincón de Baygorria Hydroelectric Power Plant
The project will ensure increased reliability for the power plant and an increase in renewable energy generation.
Expanding its contacts and contributions to the hydropower sector is one of the..
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17/07 2023: Colombia – New contracts for HPPs Guatapé and Guadalupe
ANDRITZ is extending its support for Empresas Públicas de Medellin in the maintenance of its hydropower plants.
In recent years, ANDRITZ and @Empresas Públicas de Medellin (EPM) have resumed their business relations by executing various maintenance and modernization projects in different hydroelectric power plants, thus, successfully returning to giving special attention to the plants for which ANDRITZ was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Now, after participating in EPM's public tenders, ANDRITZ Hydro Colombia was awarded further contracts for the hydropower plants Guatapé and Guadalupe.
The Guatapé hydropower station has an installed capacity of 560 MW and is equipped with eight Pelton turbines, originally from ANDRITZ (formerly Escher Wyss). Important maintenance work has been carried out at this power station to ensure power generation. In addition to the repairs carried out in 2021 and 2022 on two runners and an inlet valve, EPM today confirms its confidence in ANDRITZ with the contract for execution of new repairs on two runners and an additional inlet valve, joining another contract for the design, supply, and manufacture of two new, completely forged runners by ANDRITZ Hydro Switzerland, the ANDRITZ Group's "Center of Competence" for Pelton turbines.
For the Guadalupe III plant with a capacity of 270 MW and Guadalupe IV with 202 MW capacity, ANDRITZ was commissioned to repair four Pelton runners and rehabilitate a pressure relief valve.
The EPM Group has an installed capacity of 4,078 MW, of which 3,608 MW is accounted for by its hydropower stations. Of the total capacity available at EPM, 1,343 MW is accounted for by plants equipped with ANDRITZ turbines, which corresponds to approximately 37% of the current hydropower capacity. EPM is one of the country's most important companies in the field of power generation and, with an estimated share of 27% of power generation, is even Colombia's largest power producer *.
With these contracts, ANDRITZ is further strengthening its support for specialized maintenance of the turbines and mechanical equipment required for the operation of our customer EPM’s hydropower stations.
*EPM Group Management Report 2022, Page 3
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12/07 2023: Mexico, Modernization of HPP Humaya completed
We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the modernization work on the second generator unit of the Humaya hydropower plant. Located on the Humaya River, the hydroelectric generating station has an installed capacity of 90 MW.
06/07/2023: ANDRITZ will provide a synchronous condenser for a new substation
ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil signed a new contract with Transmissora Aliança de Energia Elétrica S.A. - TAESA, one of the largest private energy transmission groups in the country.
In a conversation with Emmanuel Pasqua de Moraes, Executive Manager of Planning and Expansion Engineering at TAESA, the search for excellence and innovation was..
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04/07 2023: Congratulations Hugo Loera! - Level II Thermography certification under ISO 18436
Our colleague Hugo Loera recently obtained the Level II Thermography certification under ISO 18436, after participating in an intensive training that took place in Guadalajara from 23 to 27 May.
Thanks to this certification, we will be able to carry out more sophisticated thermal inspections and..
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29/06 2023: Yellow Day in ANDRITZ Morelia
At ANDRITZ Morelia, we join in the celebration of Yellow Day, a day filled with color, positivity, and optimism. During this special occasion, we take the time to socialize and resonate together..
28/06/2023: Modernization of the control systems at HPP Las Vacas Guatemala
We are pleased to announce the successful modernization of the control systems at the hydropower plant Las Vacas in Guatemala.
Las Vacas is located on the Las Vacas River near the village of San Antonio Las Flores in the municipality Chinautla. With a total installed capacity of 45 MW, Las Vacas generates an average of 120 GWh of electricity per year, covering the peak demand of the local population.
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27/06/2023: Salto Grande Binational Delegation visits ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil
On June 2nd, ANDRITZ Hydro welcomed a high-level delegation from Salto Grande Binational, an important hydroelectric power plant located on the Uruguay River between Concordia, Argentina, and Salto, Uruguay.
The visitors were accompanied by Sales Director Sérgio Gomes; Electrical and Mechanical Plant Managers Fabio Certo and Denis Loureiro; Quality and Environment Manager Leonardo Ferreira; Engineering Manager Everton Von Zuben; Automation employee Marcelo Sumarán, and Business Development team members Alexis Mozarovski and Gederson Malagola.
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20/06/2023: ANDRITZ combines excellence and technology with field machining in Sobradinho
The contract signed with CHESF continues to follow ANDRITZ's standards of excellence. Currently, the project is focused on providing machining services for the modernization of the Sobradinho power plant, with a focus on Kaplan turbines.
The project has already progressed over 23%, with Unit 2 being disassembled and undergoing various interventions carried out by ANDRITZ's specialized field team.
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15/06/2023: ANDRITZ promotes visit by Brazilian delegation to Austria
ANDRITZ aims to actively participate in the Brazilian energy transition and is making every effort to ensure that its strength in the hydropower sector is seen by those who are following these changes.
Based on this, a delegation was created with important names from the sector, representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, ANEEL and the Chamber of Deputies to visit the main hydroelectric power generation points in Austria.
This visit became possible through the work of the presidency and board of directors of ANDRITZ, who have successfully established strong connections that brought together government members and Brazilian investors , the Austrian embassy, clients, and prominent institutions such as ABRAGEL - Brazilian Association of Clean Energy, to foster ideas, solutions, and projects for the challenges Brazil will face in the coming years.
The purpose of the visit was the exchange of information related to pump storage, the operation of multipurpose units, and the generation of green hydrogen. Following this agenda, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Freudenau Hydropower Plant, the largest urban energy generation unit in Austria, take a tour of ANDRITZ’ hydraulic laboratory in Linz and visit the Hintermuhr Hydropower Plant.
Sales Director Sérgio Gomes accompanied the group and stated that this visit was an opportunity to exchange experiences. "Our company is committed to promoting the sharing of knowledge in order to expand our connections and showcase our full capacity as a company to provide services and promote solutions. ANDRITZ stands by its partners for all challenges involving the energy transition."
Another topic mentioned, which was one of the highlights of the benchmarking, was the management of stakeholders in the region where the generation units are located. The President of ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil, Dieter Hopf, commented on how the initiatives adopted by Austrian industries can help create actions with positive impacts in Brazil. "Austria is a model of sustainable energy generation with a geography that allows abundant generation. An important point to emphasize is that along with all this energy comes job creation, as it is currently indicated that electricity demand will increase in the next decade. Brazil has all this potential and is a country that provides development, and ANDRITZ wants to be involved in all the improvements that the energy transition will bring," concluded Dieter.
The trip was also an opportunity to promote meetings between governments. A delegation from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Chamber of Deputies and Mr. Dieter Hopf, participated in meetings in the Austrian parliament and had the opportunity to meet with Minister of Climate and Energy Leonore Gewessler.
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02/06 2023: President of ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil participates in meeting with Austrian parliamentarians at the Ministry of Mines and Energy
On May 16, Dieter Hopf, President of ANDRITZ Hydro, attended a meeting in Brasília, Federal District of Brazil, between important figures from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Mr. Stefan Scholz, the Austrian Ambassador to Brazil, members of the Austrian parliament, and the board of ABRAGEL (Brazilian Association of Clean Energy) to discuss the ongoing energy transformation in the country.
The meeting was organized through ABRAGEL, as explained by Fernando Vilela, who represented the institution. "The Austrian delegation was very impressed with the information about the hydropower sector in our country. The meeting went smoothly and was productive. Undoubtedly, the ties between Brazil and Austria have been strengthened," he emphasized.
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30/05 2023: Synchronous Condensers for Cachimbo and Novo Progresso Substations in Pará, Brazil
ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil, a multinational company of Austrian origin and a part of the ANDRITZ group, has signed a contract with STERLITE POWER BRAZIL, a leading Indian developer of integrated power transmission infrastructure projects.
26/04 2023: Los Esclavos, Guatemala – Signing of Compact contract
December 2022, CONSTRUCTORA KADE S.A. a civil works company in Guatemala, awarded a contract to ANDRITZ Mexico for the supply of two new generating units for the hydropower plant Los Esclavos in Guatemala.
This Power Station belongs to the state-owned utility Instituto Nacional de Electrification (INDE).
Los Esclavos is located at km 66.5 in the village of Los Esclavos, municipality of Cuilapa, department of Santa Rosa, Guatemala and is equipped with two Francis Vertical units, with a capacity of 7.6 MW each.
The project scope of supply includes the modernization of turbines, generators, turbine governors, excitation system, firefighting system, control and SCADA, as well as installation, commissioning, and training.
The ANDRITZ solution includes supplies from ANDRITZ Germany and ANDRITZ Germany comprising an optimal modular design by Compact Hydro, which minimizes the number of new components and the size of the new turbines and generators. The commissioning of the new turbine and generators will be in June 2024.
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28/03 2023: Women at ANDRITZ Morelia - 8th March, 2023
We add, we contribute and, together we reach the goal, every day we are more, sharing strength, talent, and motivation, because we have shown that teamwork drives us to show our strengths as people, breaking stereotypes.
23/03 2023: Visit to ANDRITZ facilities in Morelia, Mexico
We thank Mr. Antoine Darde from our representative of Guatemala, Mr. Nelson Pedraza and Ing. Josué Garcia representatives of the National Electrification Institute (INDE) of the Aguacapa Hydroelectric Power Plant, for his visit to the ANDRITZ Mexico facilities on February 21 – 23.
09/03 2022: Chile - Guindo Substation successfully energized
In December 2022 the energizing of the 220/66 kV substation Guindo in Chile has been successfully finalized.
16/02/2023: Roundtable on sustainable hydroelectricity in Colombia
We thank the IHA for their invitation to participate in the round table on sustainable hydroelectricity in Colombia held on Monday, February 6 in Bogota Colombia.
02/02 2023: We celebrated the 40th anniversary of ANDRITZ Mexico
ANDRITZ has inspired cutting-edge engineering with innovative and extraordinary projects that have made the dreams of thousands of employees around the world come true and have generated a positive impact on the environment, so we are proud that ANDRITZ Mexico is part of one of the leading countries in the market for integrated solutions, products and services for hydroelectric plants in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for 40 years.
05/12 2022: São Roque Hydroelectric Power Plant
ANDRITZ Hydro Brasil has completed, with excellence, the final supervision of the assembly and commissioning of the three generating units of the São Roque Hydroelectric Power Plant, located on the Canoas River, in the Midwest Region of the state of Santa Catarina!
30/11 2022: MODERNIZATION OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS: THREE COUNTRIES, NINE PLANTS AND AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT
ANDRITZ Hydro Brasil is working in partnership with ANDRITZ Hydro Mexico and Austria, on the modernization and supply of generators for the Penitas & Humaya hydroelectric power plants, located in the state of Chiapas and Badiraguato Sinaloa, respectively.
16/11 2022: MEGATRENDS: ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE OF POWER GENERATION?
Megatrends like urbanization, climate change and digital transformation are fundamentally changing every aspect of our lives. Change can be challenging, but it also offers space for positive change and even greater opportunities for those companies, organizations and societies willing to embrace new realities.
09/11 2022: AUTOMATION OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS: MODERNIZATION OF EXCITATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
ANDRITZ Hydro Brasil is working with FURNAS for the modernization of the Excitation and Control Systems of the Synchronous Compensators of the Substations of Ibiúna, located in São Paulo, and Grajaú, in Rio de Janeiro.
27/10 2022: Expo Energía 2022
9th November 2022 – Club Hípico Santiago – Sector Salón Mármol
Expo Energía 2022 will bring together businessmen and executives from the mining, energy and industry sectors, giving ample opportunities to learn about and interact with the latest technological innovations and attend lectures on the topics that are setting trends in the energy world.
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13/10 2022: Cerro del Aguila, Peru – Major milestone achieved – second unit completed
In the frame of the 10 years of “integrated Maintenance contract” of Cerro del Aguila HPP, the second milestone related with the completeness of the major rehabilitation of the second unit has been achieved.
On Sept-17 2022 our team closed with full success the major maintenance of Unit 1.We may consider it a kind of record having completed the works in 16 days versus the contractually foreseen 33 days. 24/7 activities, two working shifts of 12 hours each, five of ours best supervisors from ANDRITZ Hydro locations in Italy and Mexico, more than 50 site persons involved, team spirit, commitment, common target and synergy with our client and great competences made this success real.
The third major maintenance with unit uprate is expected within the end of the year, and it will close the first round of major intervention, until the second one which will start in 2026.
Providing added value
During the whole period between one major maintenance and the following one and thanks to our innovative digital services, and specific competence about machine erosion prediction, ANDRITZ will guarantee to the client an efficiency drop of the units within defined limits.
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01/09 2022: Medellin, Colombia - "VI Seminar on Hydroelectric Power Plants and Energy Generation Systems"
The Antioquia Society of Engineers and Architects (SAI) in Colombia held the VI Seminar on Hydroelectric Power Plants Power Generation Systems in the city of Medellin, Colombia.
According to the organizers of this event, its objective of creating awareness and generating debate on the way in which the electricity sector in Colombia is being developed and planned was achieved.
On August 3 to 5, 2022, more than 400 attendees met at this seminar, 60% face-to-face and 40% virtual. The virtual modality allowed us to share all the information with some of our clients such as CELEC (Ecuador), CORPOELEC (Venezuela), CELSIA, EPM, Empresa de Acueducto (Colombia) among others. These companies organized special rooms to gather their staff and thus they could attend all the conferences held at the event.
ANDRITZ is proud to have participated with two presentations that were very well received during the event.
The first presentation on “Energy Storage and Reversible Plants Pump / Turbine” was given by Ing. Diego Pigozzo, General Manager of ANDRITZ Hydro Peru, giving a vision of its importance worldwide, and how pumped storage technology has already been developed in different countries.
The second presentation was about the “Aging of Hydroelectric power plants and the possibilities of modernization in Colombia. From ANDRITZ Hydro Colombia, Ing. Carlos Sgro, General Manager, and Ing. Edwin Sierra, Sales and Marketing SR Leader, held this conference highlighting the number of megawatts installed in Colombia and the main reasons to take into account to contemplate the modernization of these power plants.
During both presentations, general doubts about the pumping system and the increase in the megawatt capacity that can occur when modernizing plants were resolved. These topics were received with great acceptance by the attendees, both face-to-face and virtual, due to the broad participation through the tools provided by the SAI.
Thanks to the SAI team for the opportunity to present our two conferences that aroused the interest of the event's organizers and sponsors from the beginning, making us part of two spaces on this scene that were very well received and being an excellent occasion for the exchange of knowledge.
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04/07 2022: ANDRITZ at the EXPO ENERGIA in Peru
After a two-year intermission due to Covid, the Expo Energia Expo Energía Perú 2022 – Exhibition and Conferences, were again held in Lima on June 20 and 21, 2022. The conference had the motto: "The challenge of energy: The transition to a new energy model", analyzing and discussing various issues oriented to the energy transition, technological innovation and transformation of our matrix towards renewable energies.
ANDRITZ Hydro was pleased to participate as a platinum sponsor, attending with a booth and a presentation with focus on energy storage systems and market megatrends, which was held in the main conference room and received much attention and positive feedback. At a three -hour seminar for technicians and specialists we presented some specific topics of our products such as
- Synchronous Condenser & Pumps turbines
- Compact Hydro Hybrid project (BESS & Floating Solar)
- Rehab of existing plants with particular focus to new operating range required by the market
- O&M Data prediction and actions
- Substations and remote-control systems for renewable energy plants
The conference was very well attended by participants from many South American countries, not only Peru, but also Chile, Bolivia and Colombia. We were pleased that there was a lively exchange of experiences and expertise and that we were able to further cultivate our good relationships with many people from the South American energy market.
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12/05 2022: "Colombian-Austrian Hydroenergetic Symposium" in Bogotá, Colombia
The Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá, in alliance with ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Colombia have developed the "Colombian-Austrian Hydroenergetic Symposium” to meet the rising export and invest activities of Austrian companies in Colombia.
On April 20th, about 100 companies came together to learn about implementing sustainable economic models in energy and mobility based on science, technology, and innovation through this event. They learned how Austria had established itself as a leading country in the fight against climate change.
ANDRITZ is proud to have participated with a presentation on Pumped Storage Technology. Beat Ritschard, as Technical Advisor of ANDRITZ Hydro Colombia, made a presentation called "Pumped Storage - The number one storage technology - Hybrid Hydropower Solutions" and gave an overview of the latest pumped storage technology and its importance for the future energy transition. Likewise, this topic was added to the challenges of Colombia and its existing hydroelectric plants in the presentation made, in the final Discussion Panel, by Carlos Sgro, current Director of Andritz Hydro Colombia. Both topics received a lot of attention and acceptance from the authorities and the attending public.
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January 2022: ANDRITZ participated to the inauguration ceremony of the 154 kV electrical substation Pueblo Seco, Chile
On November 25, 2021 ANDRITZ participated to the inauguration ceremony of the 154 kV electrical substation Pueblo Seco in Chile. ANDRITZ Italy together with ANDRITZ Chile carried out the engineering work and supplied the equipment, supervision and commissioning of the complete electrical power system, control & protection, automation and SCADA system. The substation includes also a 20 MVA 154/23 kV step-up transformer and it is fully operated by a remote supervision and control system.
The Pueblo Seco substation is part of the energy transformation plan that is ongoing in the country and it is part of the projects to reinforce the Chilean transmission grid. It will also contribute to the local distribution system as well as the future interconnection of other medium voltage lines. The substation was successfully commissioned in September this year with the interconnection of the 154kV Charrua-Monterrico line.
ANDRITZ takes immense pride in being the selected as a reliable partner for the complete electrical power system and automation works of this relevant project with our long-standing experience around the world in high-voltage substations.
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June 2021: HPP Yacyretá, Brazil – Contract for 18 new excitation systems with HIPASE technology
ANDRITZ Hydro Brazil entered into a partnership with Entidad Binacional Yacyreta (EBY) to supply 18 new excitation systems with HIPASE-E technology, a dedicated automation solution from ANDRITZ, for the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Plant, located on the Paraná River, between Argentina and Paraguay.
The Yacyreta hydropower plant belongs to Entidad Binacional Yacyretá and has been in commercial operation since 1994. Nowadays, it has an installed capacity of 3,200 MW MW and is responsible to supply electricity needs of 50% residences in Argentina, not to mention industries.
The qualifying process in the binational bid was challenging and required a lot of preparation from the entire team in terms of compliance, corporate, as well as technical and economic aspects. ANDRITZ used its market expertise and submitted a customized offer. We were finally chosen to supply the complete modernization of the excitation systems (cubicles, transformers, set of auxiliary part and component) consisting of basic and detailed design, manufacturing/assembly, factory acceptance tests, transport, site installation and commissioning.
This is a very important project for ANDRITZ that not only highlights ANDRITZ competence and expertise in the automation market but also marks the beginning of a long term partnership with Entidad Binacional Yacyreta.
Technical Details:
Total output: 3,200 MW
Head: 21.3 m
Voltage: 13.2 kV
