Waneta Expansion Project is Now Generating Clean, Renewable and Cost Effective Power

MONTREAL, June 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership (WELP), between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, has connected the Waneta Expansion Project near Trail, British Columbia to the electrical grid. The plant is located on the border between Canada and the USA and is now generating power on the BC Hydro grid.

The 335 MW expansion adds a second powerhouse, immediately downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend-d'Oreille River, that shares the existing hydraulic head and generates clean, renewable, cost effective power from water that would otherwise be spilled. The project also included construction of a 10 km, 230 kV transmission line and provides enough energy to power about 60,000 Canadian homes per year.

"We are proud to have contributed to one of the largest infrastructure projects of British Columbia and helped bringing it online. We contributed to making available reliable and affordable electricity from a renewable, climate friendly source," William Malus, CEO of Voith Hydro in Canada, pointed out.

At the time of substantial completion, the project was the eighth largest hydro electrical infrastructure project in British Columbia. The Waneta Expansion Project was completed six weeks ahead of schedule. Two parallel tunnels are feeding the two Francis turbine units, each supplying 167.5 MW. In addition to the turbines, Voith Hydro supplied the generators, governors, exciters and various additional auxiliary systems of the plant's equipment. Voith Hydro is a subcontractor to SNC Lavalin Inc. acting as the prime contractor on the project.

The Owner WELP announced that the project employed over 1,400 people overall in the five years of design, manufacturing, construction and commissioning. Voith Hydro started working on the project in October 2010.

The official opening presentation shall be held in July 2015 with project and local, regional and provincial government representatives.

The Importance of Hydropower

Hydropower is the largest, oldest and also most reliable form of renewable energy generation. Worldwide it makes an indispensable contribution to stable power supplies and hence to economic and social development – both in industrial countries and in emerging markets. At the same time, hydropower significantly contributes to climate-protecting energy generation. Voith has been a leading supplier of this technology since the early beginning, and continuously develops it further.

About the Company

Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith today has more than 39,000 employees, sales of €5.3 billion and locations in more than 50 countries, making it one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.

Contact:
Dr. Vesna Stirnadel
Communications
Voith Hydro Holding
Tel. +49 7321 37-6529
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150612/222729

SOURCE Voith Hydro