Tender launched for refurbishment works at Vidraru, Romania

Romania’s state-owned hydropower producer Hidroelectrica, has launched an international tender for the modernization of the 220 MW Vidraru hydropower plant and dam on the river Argeș in the southern central county of Argeș, which is located in the region of Muntenia.

Bids are due by 11 June for a turnkey contract for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of mechanical, hydro-mechanical, and electrical equipment for the plant, dam and pressure node as well as integration of already modernized installations (220-kV substation, SCADA and 125 kVA generator group at the Vidraru dam) as well as dismantling of the existing equipment and personnel training.

The contract also entails: construction works at the existing hydro-technical structures to consolidate them in line with the building regulations, repair works on the resistance structure, and rehabilitation of electrical, sanitary, ventilation and PSI installations; and, architectural works in the plant and control centre.

Refurbishment work will comprise: the retrofitting of the four Francis hydro aggregates and related auxiliary installations; rehabilitation of hydro-mechanical equipment mounted on the pressure derivation and bottom drainage of the dam; refurbishment of the equipment and mechanical installations in the powerhouse and the pressure node, power outlet and bottom drainage; refurbishment or replacement of electrical and power supply and distribution installations, control and automation installations in the plant and the pressure node, power socket and bottom drainage; and, retrofitting of all lifting and transport equipment from the plant and dam, as well as civil works on existing hydro-technical constructions such as the dam, pressure derivation, powerhouse and control room.

The project aims to extend the plant’s lifetime by at least 30 years, and increase capacity of the four vertical Francis turbines from 55 MW each to a minimum of 58.8 MW as well as ensuring better reliability, lowering the maintenance needs and increasing operational safety. The contracted works will cost an estimated €82.15 million (exclusive of VAT), and are expected to be completed within 56 months of contract award, according to a tender notice published on 7 May.

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: www.e-licitatie.ro.

For further information, contact: Sorin Bogatone, SPEEH Hidroelectrica SA, Bd. Ion Mihalache 15-17, Sector 1, Bucharest 011171, Romania; Tel: +40 213032500; Fax: +40 213032564; Email: secretariat.general@hidroelectrica.ro; alexandru.anghel@hidroelectrica.ro; florin.raruta@hidroelectrica.ro; narcisa.florescu@hidroelectrica.ro; daniela.preja@hidroelectrica.ro.