‘The city of one hundred towers and spires’ – alias Prague in the Czech Republic – will play host to International Water Power and Dam Construction’s forthcoming conference. From 10-12 December 2001, Uprating and Refurbishing Hydro Power Plants (URHP) will tackle the most topical and technical aspects of keeping your dam and hydro power plant in optimum working order.

Paper presentations will look at case studies from North and South America, and various European locations such as the UK, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia and the Czech Republic. While new technological developments and improved methodologies will be analysed in depth for the benefit of delegates.

Obtaining finance and overcoming regulatory hurdles before implementing uprating and refurbishment can be a minefield. How can you be sure this is the best investment for your plant? How do you attract financial assistance to enable you to undertake it? What are the risks involved and how does the law deal with design liability, contract negotiations and so on? In a special session to address these issues, URHP will lead the way to better decision-making and the successful completion of such work.

Since the publication of its final report in November 2000, the World Commission on Dams has gained worldwide publicity for its views and data on the construction of dams. But did you know that the Commission’s work also looks at uprating and refurbishing existing facilities? At this conference we’ll demonstrate the importance, and business benefits, of squeezing more capacity and extra years out of your current assets. With the assistance of speakers from the World Commission on Dams, financial institutions and the communications industry, we’ll show how uprating and refurbishment can be a useful tool in promoting the positive aspects of our industry and improving communication links with traditional opponents of water power and dams.

Uprating and refurbishment is about new business prospects for old plants. And, as IWP&DC’s well–respected conference will demonstrate, there’s a lot more to it than you may think.

Be sure to join us in Prague to find out the latest about this industry growth area.

For more details contact Julie Rossiter, Wilmington Publishing, Wilmington House, Maidstone Road, Foots Cray, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 5HZ, UK

Tel: +44 20 8269 7823

Fax: +44 20 8269 7874

Email: jrossiter@wilmington.co.uk.