Auma-Solutions for a world in motion
Auma-Solutions for a world in motion

CNR seeks replacement runners for Génissiat hydropower plant

The original runners of these hydraulic turbines, which were commissioned between 1948 and 1958, are at the end of their life cycle, and require replacement.

French hydropower producer Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) invites pre-qualification bids by 13 May for the design, manufacture and supply of Francis turbine runners for the 420 MW Génissiat hydropower plant on the river Rhône.

The plant, which is located at the site of the Génissiat dam, near the village of Injoux-Génissiat in the eastern department of Ain, comprises six Francis type turbines.

CNR intends to replace the six runners in pairs in three separate lots: Lot 1: Two runners (G1/G3); Lot 2: Two runners (G2/G4; and, Lot 3: Two runners (G5/G6). Pre-qualification bids are sought for the design and manufacture of Francis-type runners, their adaptation to the existing turbines, delivery to site, supervision of assembly, commissioning, and prototype performance tests, according to the tender notice published on the EU’s public procurement website TED on 23 April. More specifically, the contract will require hydraulic studies of the runner using CFD type numerical calculations, hydraulic studies of the runner blades, mechanical studies of the dimensioning runners, runner crown, band and blade, design of installation works, and manufacturing and balancing of the runners.

The existing runners for units G1 and G3 (Lot 1), which were manufactured by SFAC/KMW, have a runner diameter of 4100 mm and a weight of 29 t and operate under a nominal net head of 64.5 m with power of 66 176 kW, with a clockwise rotation under a rotation speed of 150 rpm.

The existing runners for units G2 and G4 (Lot 2), which were manufactured by Neyrpic Charmilles, have a runner diameter of 3900 mm and a weight of 36 t and operate under a nominal net head of 64.5 m with power of 66 176 kW, with a clockwise rotation under a rotation speed of 150 rpm.

The existing runner for unit G5 (Lot 3), which was manufactured by SFAC/KMW, has a runner diameter of 4100 mm and a weight of 29 t and operates under a nominal net head of 64.5 m with power of 66 176 kW, with a counter clockwise rotation under a rotation speed of 150 rpm. The existing runner for unit G6 (Lot 3), which was also manufactured by SFAC/KMW, has a runner diameter of 4100 mm and a weight of 29 t and operates under a nominal net head of 65.5 m with power of 73 529 kW, with a counter clockwise rotation under a rotation speed of 150 rpm.

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

The duration of the contract for the three lots is defined as 60 months. CNR intends to select a minimum of four candidates to be invited to tender, with the invitation expected at the end of June.

CNR reserves the right to award contracts combining the lots to one or more tenderer though the procurement aims for the establishment of a framework agreement with a single operator. The full tender notice can be viewed at ted.europa.eu. Access to the procurement documents is restricted.

Further information can be obtained at: achats.cnr.tm.fr. Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted in French to the below-mentioned address. For further information, contact: Sébastien Peyrat, Compagnie Nationale du Rhône, 2 Rue André Bonin, 69316 Lyon; Email: sebastien-externe.peyrat@cnr.tm.fr; Tel: +33 629 289188; Main address: www.cnr.tm.fr.