GE Renewable Energy ’s Hydro Solutions has signed an O&M contract for the 210 MW Igarapava Hydroelectric Power Plant, located in Rio Grande in the Paraná River basin in Brazil. The Igararpava plant was one of the first in Brazil to use generators optimised for fast running water and extremely low heads of less than 20m from top to bottom of the dam.
GE Renewable Energy was one of the project’s main suppliers during construction. Under the new contract, GE is responsible for O&M of all five 42 MW generating units. GE will operate the plant around the clock and will also be responsible for defining and executing the entire plant maintenance plan.
Cláudio Silva, General Manager of Igarapava, said: “The plant is over 23 years old, and our focus is on maintaining a very solid management of Igarapava. In addition to technical expertise, GE Renewable Energy’s team has proved itself to be committed to high standard practices in governance, health and safety, and people development.”