Hydro-power potential

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Alstom has signed contracts worth approximately €154m to extend the Alqueva hydro power station at Villa de Beja, Portugal, and supply electromechanical equipment to three new hydro power plants in Panama.

, in consortium with its Portuguese partners EFACEC Engenharia and SMM, has won a €94m (£74m) contract with Portuguese utility EDP – Gestão da Produção de Energia to extend the Alqueva hydro power station at Villa de Beja, Alentejo, Portugal.

Due for completion in early 2012, the so-called Alqueva II project is in line with the Portuguese government’s plan to construct 10 new dams and exploit 70 per cent of the country’s hydro potential by 2020.

Alstom will supply, deliver and install two 130MW reversible turbine-generator units and other mechanical equipment to the plant, increasing total power output to 520MW.

EFACEC Engenharia and SMM will be responsible for the balance of plant and erection at the site respectively. The Alqueva pumped storage power plant, in operation since 2004, currently employs two 130MW reversible turbine-generator units, also supplied by Alstom.

Exploring the potential of hydropower is a key priority for the Portuguese government, which has one of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in Europe.

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