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Rehabilitation of Kaunas HPP Launched
2005-07-07
Vilnius, July 7. Today Lietuvos Energija AB signed a LTL125m-worth contract on rehabilitation works at Kaunas Hydro Power Plant (HPP) with the winner of the tender – Swedish company ALSTOM Power Sweden AB. The project is to be completed by the end of 2007.
The rehabilitation of Kaunas HPP has been enlisted in the National energy Strategy of Lithuania. The European Union has allocated LTL30m from structural funds for the implementation of the rehabilitation project.
During the project the obsolete technical equipment in the power plant will be upgraded and new control system will be installed.
„After the rehabilitation of the largest hydro power plant, we will reinforce a reliable and safe supply of electricity in Lithuania, increase the effectiveness of energy business and reduce a potential negative impact on the environment“ – says Mr. Rymantas Juozaitis, General Director of Lietuvos Energija AB.
The equipment of Kaunas HPP, constructed in 1960, are technically obsolete, and the necessary technical condition of the plant is maintained by routine and major overhauls through replacement and reparation of some nodes of equipment or systems.
The capacity of Kaunas HPP accounts for about 5 per cent of maximum load in Lithuania, while the energy produced during the year is about 3 per cent of yearly energy demand. According to Rymantas Juozaitis, although these figures are not high, the power plant is important for the Lithuanian energy system not only because it produces green energy or protects the city of Kaunas from floods, but also because it facilitates the performance of the capacity balance of energy system.
Kaunas HPP is the largest generating source, using renewable energy sources for generation of electricity. Its power is supplied to 110 kV grid. Kaunas HPP is the only power plant of Lithuanian energy system, capable of self-starting in case of a blackout. It is the main electricity generation source which could start the energy system after a blackout or split-up.
The tender for procurement of rehabilitation works at Kaunas HPP was announced last autumn, in accordance with Law on Public Procurement. The tender was conducted in 2 stages: first – evaluation of qualification – which resulted in selection of 3 bidders, meeting the requirements of tender documents. They were invited to submit proposals on performance of Kaunas HPP rehabilitation.
Aurelija Trakšelienė, Public Relations Officer
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