Power Machines is to design, manufacture and supply equipment for the 34MW La Mina hydroelectric project in Chile after winning a contract from Chilean utility Colbun.

The Russian firm will supply two equipment sets, each consisting of a radial-flow hydroturbine complete with a 17MW rated generator, and electromechanical auxiliaries. Power Machines will also carry out installation, precommissioning and commissioning of the electromechanical equipment, ready for plant start-up in 2016.

Power Machines’ participation in the La Mina project is a continuation of the successful cooperation between the Russian company and the Chilean energy sector. The company supplied equipment on a turn-key basis for the Quilleco hydropower plant, which has been in operation since June 2007. It was also involved in the La Higuera project, designing and conducting hydroturbine model testing, and supplying two hydrogenerators, each with a capacity of 77.5MW, complete with excitation systems.

La Mina is the first plant within the Gualquivilo- Melado hydropower complex, which will have a total capacity of more than 400MW