Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig) has awarded a contract worth more than 60 million euros to a consortium led by Alstom Brazil for refurbishment of the 1,710-MW Sao Simao hydroelectric plant.

Sao Simao, on the Paranaiba River between Goias and Minas Gerais states, is Cemig’s largest hydro facility. It began operating in 1978 with six turbine-generating units.

The consortium, which includes electric and automation systems provider Orteng and construction company Camargo Correa, will be responsible for refurbishing the generation and transmission equipment. Alstom will refurbish the turbines, speed governors, and generators; replace the excitation system; and supervise, commission and supply the transformers and instrumentation. Orteng will be in charge of engineering, integration and supply of auxiliary electrical equipment, as well as supervision and commissioning. Camargo Correa will revamp hydromechanical equipment, including erection.

The rehab work is expected to be complete by 2018 and is expected to extend the life cycle of the plant by at least 30 years, Alstom says.

About 30% of the hydro plants in Brazil have been operating for more than 30 years, providing a significant refurbishment market, Alstom says.

Cemig owns or has stakes in 103 companies and 15 consortiums. In the electric energy sector, it services 96% of the concession area in Minas Gerais and has more than 7 million consumers in 774 municipalities. It is responsible for the operation of 65 power plants with total installed capacity of 6,925 MW.