Alstom Hydro Brazil Begins $20 Million Rehabilitation of Venezuelan Hydroelectric Complex

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Jose Antonio Paez Hydroelectric Complex, which is owned and operated by Compania Anonima de Administracion y Fomento Eectrico (Cadafe), a subsidiary of Corpoelec, Venezuela's state-owned utility, is preparing to start the rehabilitation of four 60-megawatt (MW) units. Work will begin in early December and is expected to be complete within 18 months.

The rehabilitation program is at least 14 months behind schedule and is also over the initial budget. The total project cost is estimated at $20 Million, and will be executed by Alstom Hydro Brazil after several negotiations.

Rehabilitation will begin with Unit 2, which is currently down because of an electrical failure of the generator stator. This unit will undergo a 5-month rehabilitation program to upgrade the excitation system, replace the coil assembly and incorporate an automation system that will function for the four units of the plant. The remaining units will undergo four months of rehabilitation work in which most of the electromechanical parts will be upgraded.

The Jose Antonio Paez Hydroelectric Complex has a total power output of 240 megawatts (MW) with four 60-MW units manufactured by Swiss Charmilles that began operating in 1973. In September 2007, two units were taken offline because of an over-accumulation of sediment from heavy rains. For more details, view related September 14, 2007, article - Two Units at Bolivar Hydroelectric Complex Taken Offline in Unplanned Outage.

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