Rehabilitation and Repair

Hidroelectrica seeks bidders for Vidraru hydropower plant refurbishment

Hidroelectrica seeks bidders for Vidraru hydropower plant refurbishment
(photo courtesy Hidroelectrica)

Hidroelectrica is moving forward plans to refurbish its 220 MW Vidraru hydropower facility, announcing it has resumed the tender through its electronic public procurement system (SEAP).

The estimated value of the contract for this project is €188 million (US$103.7 million), reflecting an update of the costs to the new market values.

Vidraru, on the Arges River in Romania, features an underground powerhouse that was commissioned in 1966. It contains four 55 MW vertical Francis turbines. The powerhouse discharges into the reservoir for the Oiesti hydropower plant. Vidraru Dam is a double curvature concrete dam with a height of 166.6 meters and a crest length of 307 meters.

The Vidraru Hydroelectric Power Plant Refurbishment project includes installation of mechanical and electrical equipment; integration of modernized installations; construction work for the replacement/rehabilitation of existing equipment; and consolidation of hydrotechnical construction, such as the dam, pressure derivation, power plant and technical block; and building a warehouse for waste and reusable materials. The project also includes implementation of an automatic command-control system to coordinate operation of equipment and installations, technical condition evaluation services, design and engineering for each technical unit, and project management activities to coordinate the entire re-technological process.

Before relaunching the project, Hidroelectrica specialists had a series of consultations with potential contracting companies to identify new ideas and the challenges or uncertainties they face, from a technical and financial point of view. Thus, extensive market research was carried out with the aim of obtaining a correct estimate of the value of the work in a period characterized by increased volatility, but also to align the contractual clauses with international practice.

“We know that it is an extremely complex project, with multiple variables and risks, but it is of the utmost importance and priority both for Hidroelectrica and for the national energy system. We trust that these changes, which the new team forming the directorate will undertake, will lead to the successful award of the contract and the effective completion of the works,” said Karoly Borbely, chief executive officer of Hidroelectrica.

Hidroelectrica is the largest producer of green energy in Romania and provides essential technological services for the National Energy System. The company operates 187 power stations with a hydropower capacity of 6.3 GW and owns a 108 MW wind farm in Crucea.