Alstom launches a new turbine shaft welding shop at its steam turbine factory in Elblg, Poland

Alstom today announced that a new turbine shaft welding shop was commissioned at its Turbine Factory in Elblg, Poland. This is the biggest investment made by Alstom Power in Poland this year. The new welding shop, will guarantee that state-of-the-art technology is applied to the turbine shaft welding processes. This investment will see the factory upgraded with new and more efficient manufacturing equipment, thus bringing rotor production standards in Elblag in line with the best technology available in Alstom manufacturing locations worldwide.

Installation of modern and energy-efficient equipment and devices in the factory will allow welding of turbine shafts through the use of highly advanced technology. This will increase productivity by 15%, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption by 20%. The building of the welding shop is characterised by the use of cutting-edge and environmentally friendly solutions, such as heat recovery from technical processes, thermal insulation of walls and roof, as well as collection of rainwater, which is subsequently utilised for sanitary purposes.

Alstoms turbine factory in Elblg was established in 1948. Today the turbine factory manufactures complete steam turbines (various power output ranges) and modules, as well as subassemblies, components and spare parts for steam power plants, gas power plants and nuclear power plants. More than 320 steam and gas turbines, manufactured in the Elblag turbine factory are currently in operation worldwide.

Furthermore, the factory conducts activities related to machining of all types of components, as well and assembly of turbines and turbosets of weights up to 120 tonnes. As far as turbine blade manufacturing is concerned, the factory applies innovative technological solutions, such as automated five-axle machining centres and computer-based measurement of blade profiles. The blading production line executes comprehensive manufacturing of stationary and rotor blades made of various materials (maximum length up to 1,600 mm).

The factorys innovative products, services and management methods have been recognised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry through the award of the Grand Prix in 2011. This prestigious distinction was associated with development of Automatic Correction System (ACS), which is extensively used in the process of manufacturing turbine blades. 

Press Contacts
Christine Rahard, Isabelle Tourancheau - Tel +33 1 41 49 32 95 /39 95 
Sapna Lalwani (Alstom Thermal Power) - Tel +41 79 486 3798
Dorota Januszkiewicz (Alstom Poland) - Tel: +48 55 239 22 22 

Investor Relations
Emmanuelle Châtelain, Juliette Langlais - Tel +33 1 41 49 37 38 / 21 36