Alstom wins contract to modernise Canada's largest hydroelectric generating site, Centrale Robert-Bourassa

Alstom has been awarded a contract worth approximately €50 million by utility Hydro-Québec to modernise the Robert-Bourassa generating facility in Canada, bringing a substantial increase to the plant's efficiency.  

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copyright © 2012 Alstom  Hydroelectric plant, Robert Bourassa, La Grande River, Canada - Credits photos: Hydro-Québec

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Consisting of 16 units with a total power generation capacity of 5,616 MW, Centrale Robert-Bourassa is the world’s largest underground generating station. The dam is located on the La Grande River in northern Quebec and one of the facilities of Hydro-Quebec's James Bay project.  Together with the La Grande 2-A generating station, the two plants account for over 20% of Hydro-Quebec's installed capacity.

Under the terms of the contract, Alstom will design, manufacture and deliver four new 333 MW Francis turbine runners for units 1-4 of the dam, and carry out the complete refurbishment and modernisation of two turbine-generator groups. Alstom will also supply several new components (ring gate, distributor, servomotors and turbine shaft) for unit 1 of the power plant, while refurbishing some of the existing components for units 2 and 3, and replacing 16 electronic governor systems. Commissioning of the first upgraded unit is scheduled for autumn 2013.

The contract also includes an option for the supply of four more runners for units 4-8 and the refurbishment and modernization of six more turbine-generator units.

"Centrale Robert-Bourassa is strategically important for the province of Quebec and it is therefore a source of pride for Alstom to have been selected for this project. This contract further strengthens our long standing and excellent relationship with Hydro Quebec" said Jérôme Pécresse, President, Alstom Renewable Power, and Senior Vice-President Alstom Hydro.

Alstom is one of Canada's leading hydropower equipment and service providers and has installed or retrofitted approximately 50% of installed hydropower capacity in the province of Quebec. Other recent hydropower projects carried out by Alstom in the country include the supply of new turbine generator units for the La Romaine 2 and Lower Mattagami hydropower projects (2x320 MW and 3 units for a total of 267 MW, respectively).

Canada is one of the world's largest producers of hydropower with 475 hydropower plants, providing more than 71,000 MW. Hydropower supplies 60% of the country's electricity needs and 13% of worldwide hydropower generation each year.