20 Site report HYDRONEWS • 27

s Powerhouse s Mica runner on barge Mica New unit of a hydropower plant in commissioned

NDRITZ HYDRO’s first unit circumstances, the work was executed for the Mica Dam expansion under very high safety standards for the A project of units #5 and #6 be­ workers and with special care for the gan commercial operations in early environment to protect the pristine re­ 2015. gion from any contamination by the works. Mica Dam is located in British Colum­ bia, Canada, some 145 km from the city Unit #5 started commercial operation in of Revelstoke. It has a height of 240 m early 2015 and unit #6 will follow by end and was originally built in 1973 under s Stator assembly of 2015, adding a total of 1,040 MW of the terms of 1964 Treaty capacity to the HPP Mica Dam project. between the USA and Canada to jointly HYDRO Germany. The rotor structures control the Columbia River. and lower brackets were delivered by Louke Roeden ANDRITZ HYDRO China, the head cov­ Phone: +01 514 428 6745 The first four generating units with a ers, bottom rings, wicket gates and oper­ [email protected] total capacity of 1,800 MW started ating mechanisms were shop assembled commercial operation between 1976 by ANDRITZ HYDRO Mexico. TECHNICAL DATA and 1977, with two additional units to be Output: 2 x 520 MW / 2 x 570 MVA installed in existing bays at a later date. Limited-capacity roads and multiple Head: 170 m bridges in the area created a transporta­ Runner diameter: 6,300 mm ANDRITZ HYDRO Canada entered a tion challenge when the heavy, 137 ton Speed: 133.33 rpm contract with Hydro in Francis runner had to be brought over July 2009 for the design, supply, instal­ forest roads, changing trailers to adapt lation, and commissioning of units #5 to the different conditions and finally be­ and #6. After successful completion of ing conveyed by barge across Mica the model test, the execution of the Dam reservoir. project started in November 2010. The execution of the project’s aggres­ Major components for HPP Mica Dam sive schedule for the first unit was not were supplied by several ANDRITZ easy due to HPP Mica Dam’s remote HYDRO manufacturing facilities with the location and being an underground turbine runners provided by ANDRITZ powerhouse. In consideration of these