ALSTOM Hydro (Switzerland) Ltd supplies generators for the
reconstruction of the Rheinfelden hydroelectric power
plant

ALSTOM Hydro (Switzerland) Ltd will supply four generators
and auxiliary systems for the project, which has an expected
investment volume of 400 million. The generators will be
built at the Birr plant. Voith Siemens Hydro, which leads the
consortium, will supply four 26 MW Kaplan bulb turbine units and
a small weir turbine. The upgrade will be finished by 2012. With an output of 106
MW, the new Rheinfelden hydroelectric power plant will be four
times more powerful than the current plant. The average annual
production will rise from 185 million kWh to 600 million kWh.
This will supply electricity to around 165,000 homes. The Rheinfelden plant, situated on the river
Rhine at the border between Switzerland and Germany, was the
first large hydroelectric plant in the history of power
generation in Europe. It was first opened in 1898, and its
electricity made a major contribution to the industrialization
and resulting economic growth of the entire region. The planned
upgrade is intended to make better use of renewable energy
sources. 
  *** Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation
and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative
and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the
fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the
world, and provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions
and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources,
including hydro, gas and coal. The Group employs 60,000 people
in 70 countries, and had orders of 13.4 billion in
2005/06. ***   Press enquiriesALSTOM (Switzerland) LtdSimone RamserDirector Communications and SpokespersonTel.: +41 (0)56 205 96 00Fax:+41 (0)56 205 52 31simone.ramser@power.alstom.com