Power Machines has announced it has delivered the last of the main equipment for the modernisation of the Farkhad hydropower project in Uzbekistan.

Hydro turbine unity No 2 which has a maximum capacity of 33.7MW was produced by Kaluga Turbine Works – the first time it had produced a turbine for hydropower plants. Carbon fibre bushings and anti-friction materials were used in the process of turbine assembly, and aluminium coating was applied as corrosion protection.

The delivery of the unit fulfils the delivery part of the contract Power Machines was awarded back in 2017 by Uzbekhydroenergo. It has previously delivered a guide vane to the construction site for Unit No 4, which had not been originally included in the contract scope of delivery. The decision on additional delivery was made based on the results of the equipment survey in 2019.

In total, four hydropower units are to be upgraded at the project, to increase the total capacity of the plant by 11.4% — from 114MW to 127MW. The full service life of the hydraulic units will be 40 years.

Currently, Power Machines is carrying out assembly work on the first and third hydropower units at the construction site. The mechanical part of unit No. 1 has been assembled, and the impeller, turbine shaft, guide vane, stator and generator rotor have been mounted. Installation of equipment for APCS, relay protection and automation equipment, 10 kV conductors, and DC and AC bus ducts is in progress. Installation of auxiliary systems is nearing completion.

The generator rotor was assembled and tested at unit No.3, and the impeller and the turbine shaft were connected to each other and prepared for installation in the crater of the hydropower unit. Preparatory work is underway for the installation of the guide vane and the turbine bearing. Installation of equipment for the service water supply and fire extinguishing system of the generator will be carried out.

The high-voltage equipment for the first stage of the 110 kV outdoor switchgear has been fully installed. The auxiliary equipment for the plant has been also assembled: 10 kV SCG, 0.4 kV in-house cabinet, operating DC voltage system. System debugging is in progress.

Completion of the project will allow the hydropower plant to increase annual electricity generation by 84 million kWh to 531.2 million kWh per year.